To: Grinnell College Community

From: Russell K. Osgood

Date: March 22, 2005

Re: Campus Plan Update

This is another of our comprehensive, periodic updates on the status of campus facility projects. I welcome comments or questions.

I. Phase II of the Noyce Science Center

Three and one-half years ago, the Board of Trustees authorized the College to engage Holabird & Root and Research Facilities Design (the planners and designers of Phase I) to plan and design Phase II of the Noyce Science Center. Last month, the Board authorized the College to commence the expansion and renovation of the Noyce Science Center. The project will begin this summer with the demolition of the north one-story followed by construction of a new structure on that site. The new portion should be completed in the summer of 2007 and the renovation of the 1986 wing will follow during the 2007-08 academic year.

II. Conard Environmental Research Area

The College also engaged Holabird and Root and Research Facilities Design to plan and design a new biological research station at CERA. We began construction of this facility last spring and that project is now almost completed.

III. The Joe Rosenfield '25 Center

Three years ago, the College engaged Cesar Pelli and Associates to design a new campus center, to be named for Joe Rosenfield '25 and sited at the center of campus. We are currently in the middle of construction and hope it will be completed next summer (2006.)

IV. Phase I of the New Athletic and Fitness Center

Two years ago, the Board authorized the College to engage Cesar Pelli and Associates and Sasaki Associates to design a new complex to replace Darby and the PEC. The first phase of this project, which includes Darby Gymnasium, an auxiliary gymnasium, a large fitness/weight facility and related locker/support spaces, to be called the Grinnell College Athletic and Fitness Center, is scheduled to be completed and opened this June.

The Trustees have not authorized construction of the rest of the complex, which could be built in one or two additional phases. Construction of the remaining components, including a natatorium, a field house, additional recreation and fitness spaces, offices, and increased locker/support spaces, will not begin until significant fundraising has occurred and other Board criteria for authorization are met.

V. Burling Library and Library Storage

The College has engaged Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbott to develop a plan for an enhanced library, which would guide possible renovations of the first floor of Burling, primarily around the circulation and reference desks. While no other construction is anticipated on Burling at this time, the current planning effort is intended to help us begin conceptualizing our library of the future.

We are very close to completing a new high quality book storage facility on our FM site east of town. This storage facility will permit the Library to place up to 150,000 volumes in it, thus decompressing Burling and providing more space for technology and other needs.

VI. Parking

To ensure that we are better able to meet campus parking needs, we are planning several parking improvements. The parking lot south of Security will be modestly expanded to the south. A new lot for students will be constructed north of Norris Hall (and south of 10th Avenue). A temporary parking lot will be built on the site of the old tennis courts (when construction of the Athletic and Fitness Center is completed) to accommodate increased demand in that part of campus. Finally, the remaining portion of the old lot to the east of the football field will be regained after construction is completed on the Athletic and Fitness Center.