Facilities Guideline Plan for the 21st Century
November 20, 1998

Organizing Concepts and Principles

Land Use Concepts and Principles

One of the most important factors in a campus master plan is the manner in which campus land uses are organized. At Seattle Pacific University, the incremental growth of the campus has resulted in a somewhat random land use pattern, with some academic buildings (science and art) dispersed at peripheral locations. Student housing, although primarily located on the west side of the campus, is also included in mixed use buildings located in the central academic area and on sites located several blocks from the perceived campus. In some areas awaiting development, the land uses consist of a mixture of parking lots, small office buildings and housing. This random land use pattern results in less interaction between faculty and students located in dispersed locations, contributes to inefficiencies in University operations and weakens the overall image of the campus.

Substantial changes to the campus land uses are possible, but expensive. They are likely to occur over a long period, as new buildings are constructed and existing buildings are demolished or renovated. The following principles are recommended as guidelines to help shape future decisions regarding campus land uses:

  1. Land use patterns should support and enhance the University’s mission and the overall goals and objectives of the Facilities Guideline Plan for the 21st Century.
  2. To the extent feasible, land uses of similar or complementary uses should not be separated by arterial streets or other man-made or natural barriers that would impede pedestrian access.
  3. Functions and facilities should be located to minimize the need for travel by vehicles on campus.
  4. Facilities for education and research should be concentrated in a central academic zone. Faculty offices should be organized within this zone in a manner that encourages both intra- and inter-disciplinary contacts.
  5. A mix of unrelated uses should be avoided in individual campus buildings if the mix of use results in significant adverse impacts (e.g. noise or inefficient energy use) that cannot be successfully mitigated.
  6. Lecture halls and core classrooms should be located in central locations to minimize walking distances between classes, but should be distributed to avoid overcrowding in individual buildings.
  7. The library, commons, and most student services facilities should be located in the campus core area, but other spaces for relaxation, meeting, dining and study should be distributed throughout the campus.
  8. Most residential facilities should be located on the periphery of the academic core in buildings that do not include a mixture of unrelated uses. However, some instructional facilities may be included in residential buildings to further "living/learning" objectives.
  9. Student apartments should be located near the periphery of the campus including multi-family areas outside the campus boundaries that are adjacent to or within convenient walking distance from the campus core.
  10. Administrative and support services uses that require frequent access by students and faculty should be located in or near the campus core, while other administrative and support services uses should be located at or near the periphery of the campus.
  11. Cultural facilities, including art galleries and theaters, should be located on sites that are easily accessible to the public.
  12. Athletic and recreation facilities should be concentrated near Third Avenue West and West Nickerson Street but should be supplemented with facilities located near student housing and off-campus (e.g. Interbay).
  13. Parking should be located in lots and garages on the periphery of the campus in locations with convenient vehicular access.
  14. University uses of a public or commercial nature or commercial uses that would enhance the campus and community environment and not require a University subsidy should be provided on the ground floor of some of the buildings or parking structures facing West Nickerson Street.
  15. University uses and buildings located on the campus periphery and off-campus should be compatible in size and nature with the surrounding uses.
  16. The University should be proactive in seeking joint development opportunities that support both University and community objectives, including joint development of property located near the campus, but outside the campus boundaries.
  17. Decentralization of some campus uses to off-campus sites should be considered as a means of limiting on-campus development needs and operations impacts, provided that the decentralized programs or operations could effectively and efficiently provide services from an off-campus facility.
  18. Underdeveloped portions of the campus should be developed more densely to accommodate growth while limiting the need to acquire additional property.

Figure 1, on the following page, provides an illustration of primary use zones based on the above principles. The zone designations indicate the primary use(s), but are not intended to exclude mixes of uses that may be desirable.

Figure 1 Figure 1

Transportation, Parking, Circulation and Access Principles

Transportation, parking, circulation and access are basic elements of any campus master plan. A transportation management program and circulation and parking plans are required elements of a City Major Institution Master Plan. In addition, specific code requirements must be met for persons with disabilities, which should be addressed on a campus-wide basis.

Most campuses have developed in a manner in which pedestrians are given the highest priority for access. This is the case at Seattle Pacific University, where street vacations have made possible the development of several auto-free pedestrian zones, where only service vehicles are allowed. However, many City streets remain, including several arterial streets, which are dangerous for pedestrians to cross. The pedestrian circulation system and access for the disabled are also less than ideal because of complications resulting from the steep grades that must be traversed, especially between the upper and lower campuses.

Access to the campus for commuters and parking for commuters, resident students and visitors are also significant issues that must be addressed in a campus master plan. Currently, the University uses on-street parking to meet a substantial portion of its peak parking needs, which has resulted in citizen complaints and safety and security issues. Seattle Pacific University’s current transportation management program, which includes transit subsidies and incentives for ride-sharing, has reduced the demand for parking somewhat. Some improvements to the transportation management program may be possible to further reduce the reliance on single occupancy vehicle commuting and parking, but it is clear that additional on-campus parking will be required. This parking will be necessary, not only to reduce the reliance on on-street parking and meet the additional demands resulting from the growth of the University, but also to replace parking that will be lost through campus development.

The following principles are recommended as guidelines to make improvements to campus transportation, parking, circulation and access:

  1. The highest priority for access to and on the campus should be given to pedestrians, followed by bicyclists and transit.
  2. The current transportation management program should be continued and improved to decrease the percentage of commuters who travel to campus by single occupancy vehicles.
  3. A transit center should be established in the vicinity of West Nickerson Street and Third Avenue West, in a location that does not conflict with pedestrian movement or detract from the appearance of the campus.
  4. The campus circulation system and location of land uses, including parking, should be organized to maximize access to programs and services by all individuals without use of private automobiles.
  5. Pedestrian rights-of-way in high volume vehicular zones should provide for clear visual definition of pedestrian crossings. Methods of improving pedestrian safety at the Third Avenue West pedestrian crossing of West Nickerson Street should be reviewed.
  6. Additional street vacations should be considered to increase the extent of the campus area that is free of pedestrian and vehicle conflicts. When streets with substantial pedestrian use (e.g. West Bertona Street) cannot be vacated, traffic calming measures should be developed to reduce speeds and increase pedestrian safety.
  7. A high priority should be given to campus security, including the provision of adequate lighting. All campus streets, pathways and parking areas should be well lighted, with higher intensity lighting provided at bus stops, pedestrian crosswalks and other areas with a high potential for accidents between automobiles, pedestrians and bicyclists.
  8. The dimensions of circulation elements should be adjusted to reflect the volumes of pedestrian, bicycle and vehicle travel, providing a clear hierarchy of routes that support a memorable visual sequence of movement through the campus.
  9. A well-defined campus entrance should be developed, with convenient access to short-term parking for campus visitors.
  10. Entrance and directional signs should be provided in locations necessary to direct visitors to visitor parking and major campus destinations.
  11. Access for persons with disabilities should be provided to all campus sectors and major buildings. In particular, the access between the upper and lower campus should be made more convenient for wheelchair users.
  12. Bicycle parking should be provided in convenient and secure locations, but bicycling between campus buildings on major pedestrian routes should be discouraged or prohibited.
  13. Parking lots and garages should be distributed in peripheral locations to avoid conflicts with pedestrian circulation.
  14. When possible, access to parking lots and garages should be located on arterial streets or on local streets outside of areas zoned for single family residential development.
  15. Enough on-campus parking should be provided to meet City code requirements, reduce the amount of university-related on-street parking, meet additional demand resulting from enrollment and resident student growth, and replace parking lost through campus development.
  16. A substantial amount of campus parking should be provided in parking structures or basement parking garages designed to provide a high level of security for their users. The total campus land area used for parking (currently approximately 20 percent) should be reduced.
  17. Campus buildings should be provided with functional service areas in unobtrusive locations.
  18. Parking for service vehicles should be distributed throughout the campus in locations that discourage parking on walkways and landscaped areas.

Campus Image and Design Principles

The image of the Seattle Pacific University campus should strongly reflect the University’s core values and beliefs. The buildings and grounds of the campus should express the University’s quality, tradition and mission. A strong and positive image is important to attract and retain quality faculty and students and to maintain positive relationships with the alumni and the community.

The image provided by the current campus is a mixture of identifiable architectural styles. There are three image districts or design districts on campus. The lower campus, with its stately, mature trees surrounded by traditional, historic buildings provides the image of a small, sleepy college campus, steeped in tradition. Despite its strong sense of place, it is perceived by some as being somewhat deserted and lacking in vitality. The upper campus, focused around Martin Square with modernist and contemporary buildings using crisp lines and liberal amounts of glass, provides the image of a much larger institution, energized with student activity. Although the Pavilion and Wallace Athletic Field have a major presence, the campus area at West Nickerson presently lacks a strong campus image and appears to be separated from the main campus areas. University facilities east of Third Avenue West have virtually no visual relationship to the main campus areas and are probably viewed by many as being "off-campus". The image and appearance of the campus suffers from the lack of discernible entrances and visual cues to mark the campus boundaries.

The campus image and appearance can and should be improved as new development occurs. Each new development project should make a positive contribution. The following principles are recommended as guidelines to make improvements to the image and appearance of the campus and maintain the positive elements, which currently exist:

  1. The campus should provide the image of a distinctive Christian academic community located in a Northwest setting.
  2. Alexander and Peterson Halls should be maintained as historic campus buildings. Their prominent locations should be respected by future campus development.
  3. The "Loop" area of the lower campus should be preserved as a historic open space, but should be modified to improve pedestrian circulation and provide additional opportunities for informal recreation activities. The "Loop" area should continue to be framed by large trees, with the protection of existing mature trees given a high priority in the siting of future buildings or additions, while recognizing that some trees will require removal or replacement because of disease or construction impacts.
  4. Martin Square should be retained as an active open space area serving as the core of upper campus activities.
  5. The connection between the upper and lower campus should be strengthened through the demolition of Marston Hall and redevelopment of the portion of its site adjacent to Martin Square as an open space and pedestrian circulation area.
  6. When feasible, City streets should be vacated and/or modified as pedestrian-friendly areas, designed to minimize the visual and functional separation between campus sectors.
  7. The temporary buildings and parking lots in the campus area between West Bertona Street and West Nickerson Street should be demolished and replaced with permanent buildings, open space and landscaping designed to provide stronger links with the upper and lower campus areas.
  8. The campus area east of Third Avenue West should be developed in a manner that provides an image of the area as an integral part of the campus.
  9. A major campus entry, or sense of entry, should be developed in a high visibility area and secondary campus entries should be more clearly defined.
  10. The campus should be better defined with street trees, landscaping, lighting and signage. The definition between the campus and the surrounding community need not be distinct in campus areas that incorporate non-university uses in mixed-use structures (eg. along West Nickerson Street).
  11. Building heights and scale should be compatible with that of adjacent permanent campus buildings. The height and potential for view blockage of adjacent non-university buildings should also be considered in determining campus building heights.
  12. Building styles and materials may vary between design districts but should relate to the context of adjacent permanent buildings. New buildings and additions should be of appropriate form, material and type to reflect the importance of their place within the campus.
  13. Campus open space and landscaping should be used to unify and beautify the campus and provide outdoor areas for study, worship, ceremonies, relaxation, socialization and recreation. Open space areas should be provided in convenient locations for a wide variety of recreational activities, ranging from exercise and spontaneous play involving only a few individuals, to intramural and intercollegiate sports.
  14. Permanent or long-term temporary surface parking lots should be appropriately landscaped to minimize their visual impacts.
  15. Campus development should provide for public art, both within buildings and on the grounds.
  16. Campus signage should be provided in a manner that is visually consistent and unified to support the image of the University as a single entity. Signs, campus maps, and other directional features should indicate clearly how to find campus buildings, parking areas, and facilities commonly used by those not familiar with the campus.
  17. Campus development and operations should reinforce the University’s leadership in environmental stewardship and responsibility.
  18. The University should continue to provide adequate lighting for security functions. Architectural lighting should also be designed to highlight and accentuate important campus features such as landscaping, loop trees, building elements, and art.
  19. The importance of trees as a major contributor to the attractiveness of the campus environment should be recognized, with the protection of existing trees and addition of new trees considered in the siting and design of future campus facilities.
  20. To minimize visual clutter, aboveground wiring for power and communications should be discouraged on campus and within City street right-of-ways adjacent to campus. The University should encourage City Light and other public utilities to locate their wiring below grade when new or replacement facilities are necessary.
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