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GPD Group chosen for project at YSU
By Denise Dick
YOUNGSTOWN
A committee of Youngstown State University trustees tapped an architectural firm with a city office to design the recreation and athletic fields west of Fifth Avenue.
The trustees’ finance and facilities committee picked the GPD Group, which has offices throughout the country and a branch in Youngstown, for the project.
The architect’s fee will be negotiated, said John Hyden, YSU executive director of facilities.
He said that 13 firms submitted information concerning the project, and six were interviewed. A committee with representatives form the athletic and facilities departments chose three to make presentations to trustees.
Besides GPD, the other firms were James Burkart Associates Inc. of Westerville, and JJR of Ann Arbor, Mich. All of the firms showed prior projects that included both work at universities and design of athletic facilities.
The fact that GPD has a local office appealed to trustees.
“I feel we work closely with people who are close to us,” said Trustee Harry Meshel.
In December 2009, trustees approved a plan to set aside $2.1 million for the athletic facilities as part of a $24.5 million issue borrowed through the sale of bonds for ongoing campus improvements.
What exactly will be included as part of those facilities will depend on the exact cost and design, although there’s been discussion of a soccer field, running track and tennis courts.
The committee also heard a preliminary proposal on a transportation fee. A formal proposal is likely in June and, if approved, it would be in effect for fall semester 2011.
“We feel we’ve approached a critical point where the transportation fee needs to become a reality,” said Neal McNally, director of planning and resource analysis.
YSU’s parking service is a self-sustaining operation, but as parking needs grow, so do the demands on that department, he said.
McNally suggests a $9-per-credit hour, per semester mandatory general fee that would replace the $78-per-semester parking-permit fee.
That would provide parking services with predictable, stable revenue to operate and to establish a reserve to fund the eventual Lincoln Avenue deck demolition or replacement in 12 to 15 years. The money also would help pay for other parking-service expenses such as shuttle service that will be implemented while the Lincoln Avenue deck is being renovated later this year.
Danny O’Connell, director of support services, estimated that 70 percent to 75 percent of students pay for parking permits.
McNally said the general fee also would be more equitable for students because rather than the flat $78 parking cost regardless of amount of time spent on campus, the fee would be based on the number of credit hours a student is taking.
He estimated it would generate $1.5 million per year in additional revenue.