University Drive University Drive is a four-lane curving concrete roadway owned and maintained by the City of Kearney. It provides access to the campus from the east via its intersection with Twenty-ninth Street and Ninth Avenue. Campus access is also provided from the west and south via its intersection with Route 30. The goal for University Drive is to integrate it into the campus landscape, making it feel less like a high speed arterial highway and more like an integral part of the UNK campus experience. Narrow- ing the roadway, adding a multi-use trail along one side, enhancing key pedestrian crossings with signs and colorful pavement, and lining the drive with street trees are recommended to accomplish this goal. The proposed relocation of University Drive’s intersection with Route 30 will present a timely opportunity to study the proposed transportation demands for this corridor and to work with the City of Kearney to determine how narrowing the road and improving pedestrian crossings can be accom- plished. Another important recommendation is to revise the roadway alignment to remove the curve from Tower Hill Road to the Central Utilities Plant which will make more room for proposed campus improvements to the south and reduce pedestrian and bicycle conflicts with vehicles at the intersections with 15th Avenue and the Central Entryway.
Existing Large Spaces Currently most of the outdoor spaces on campus, with the exception of recreation fields, are used infrequently for informal gathering and only occasionally for games and ceremonies. This is due partially to adverse weather conditions and limited programming but it is also be- cause the spaces may not be comfortable or accommo- dating for those activities. Also some spaces are under used because they seem remote or hard to get to. An example is Founders Quadrangle, there is space to meet, play games, or hold an event but the layout of walkways, buildings, and the bell tower discourages these activities. Students have said that Founders is primarily a place to “pass through.” Most building entrance spaces within the quadrangle are not well developed as outdoor destina- tions. The walls, trees, bell tower plaza, and walkways also divide the quadrangle so that green spaces are small and formal. The master plan proposes subtle changes: widening walks, removing some trees, enhancing build- ing entrances, and opening up the bell tower plaza, to overcome these obstacles without changing the nature of the place or its identity. Proposed Large Spaces Broad open lawns surrounded by mature shade trees and gracious academic buildings are often the most memo- rable campus spaces. “University Green” is proposed to be just such a place. The green is designed to easily attract small and large groups for both formal ceremonies and informal activities. These opportunities are created by surrounding University Green with stately academic buildings, and by providing comfortable, tree lined walk- ways, a central pergola for events, enhanced building entries, a public art plaza, comfortable seating areas, and easy to reach bicycle paths. Small Spaces Small-scale spaces are also important to include as they provide an intimate setting for small groups to meet and feel comfortable in a more private setting. They also provide valuable spaces for students and faculty to visit alone, to read or study. Small scale spaces can only be successful if their environment is truly intimate, meaning the space should be quiet and located away from roads, parking, and major activity zones and its design should not interfere with the continuity of major quadrangles, concourses, and open spaces on campus.
Founders Quadrangle
University Drive
Proposed Section - University Drive Facing East @ Proposed Central Parking Garage
C. Campus Spaces The design of outdoor spaces on campus is focused on nurturing a sense of community and making useable destinations with a variety of size, character and purpose. The intent is not only to provide iconic concourses, green quadrangles, and ceremo- nial venues but also to create places for small gatherings and quiet contemplation. Designing spaces that serve to encourage human interaction is critical to fulfilling the educational mission of this institution, as interaction and scholarly discussion are fundamental components of the learning process.
Proposed - University Green
Small Space at CU Boulder
Building Entrance & Large Gathering Space - CU Boulder
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Chroma Design Inc.
University of Nebraska - Kearney Campus Landscape Master Plan
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