The Echo

Issue date: 4/16/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Megan Hudson Walk this way: Kyle Farmer, Nick Zumbrun and Jacob Walling, all Chattanooga juniors, use the crosswalk by Fletcher Hall. The high incidence of pedestrian accidents on and around campus this year has propelled university efforts to improve crosswalk visibility.

As an urban university, landlocked by not only a downtown city but a river as well, growth is difficult, according to Richard Brown, vice chancellor for finance and operations.

The university has recently identified a source of land that may be available for parking, and the need for a multi-purpose classroom building has also been discussed, Brown said.

"In the future we will have to think smarter about building with taller buildings, parking decks, et cetra," Brown said.

Brown said Bryan Funeral Home on McCallie Avenue has also been acquired after five years of planning, and the idea of building a multilevel parking deck has been mentioned for the space. He said the university also attempts to replace green space whenever they build.

When the Engel stadium property was acquired, the university put in a new track and field space and three soccer fields, funded in part by the student activity fee and part by a donor, Brown said.

Brown said 11 acres has been acquired from Norfolk Southern with plans for future growth.

According to Brown, buying property and building has always been controversial, but without it, a university cannot grow. "You don't want to sit in the dormitory all day," Brown said. "The university builds to retain students."

Brown said he considers several priorities above others when trying to locate property for UTC: student housing, parking, academic buildings and putting back green space.

A broad goal in land acquisition is to make sure the university is a good community member, Brown said.

According to Brown, future plans for UTC growth include trying to acquire the Alpha Delta Phi house at the corner of Vine and Douglas streets to be used as an international studies house. UTC is also looking to join with Erlanger to build a new facility for student use, Brown said.

Further, with the recent and increasing occurrences of students being hit by vehicles, the university is working to address the issue of student safety in crossing streets, Brown said. Raised crosswalks have been built on Fifth Street, traffic signals are being placed where appropriate and signs have been posted to better define pedestrian walkways.

"We have got to do a better job on telling drivers how to drive on these streets," Brown said.

Brown said in planning for the growth he makes sure to listen to all parties in the community, from the MLK neighborhood district to student groups. "A good planner is a good listener," Brown said.

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