44°
VALHALLA, N.Y. Pace University in Pleasantville might be getting a facelift. The school has presented its $100 million master plan, which includes three new dorms, new athletic facilities and new layout of the campus, among many more changes.
Were looking at how the infrastructure can do double or triple the duty while also maintaining the flow of the campus, said Andrew Tung, the engineer behind Paces master plan. This plan is launching us into our next 50 years.
Paces expansion plan which is in place after the university announced its intent to sell the Briarcliff campus and move those functions to Pleasantville was presented Thursday evening before the Mount Pleasant Planning Board.
Under the plan, two new dorms will be placed adjacent to the Goldstein Athletic Center, with a third placed adjacent to the student center. The parking lot that now sits between the athletic and student centers will be replaced by a grassy area, which Tung said the school hopes will serve as a key hangout spot for students.
We want that area to be the Grand Central Station waiting terminal for students where its all happening on campus, Tung said.
The majority of parking spaces will be moved to the outskirts of the campus, which, Tung says, will help promote a better flow of students and faculty members walking from building to building. The student center will be expanded, and an entrance on Bedford Road will be closed, as there will be significantly fewer students commuting to campus.
Paces athletic facilities also will receive a facelift in this plan. The baseball and football fields at the Pleasantville campus will be replaced entirely with new turf surfaces, with the football field being slightly extended to include a lacrosse and soccer field layout as well. A new fieldhouse will be added adjacent to the football field for all concessions, ticket purchases and athletic offices. A fourth tennis court will be added to the current court layout, and a softball field will be added near Bedford Road.
Tung said the plan includes a new stormwater drainage system that would be able to handle a 100-year storm.
Steven Kavee, chairperson for the Mount Pleasant Conservation Advisory Committee, said he was impressed with Paces presentation Thursday night.
There are many positive environmental aspects; we support a lot of these plans, Kavee said.
The plan calls for a construction period of 7½ years in order to keep the campus fully functioning while the work is in progress. Ruth Roth, legal representative for Pace, said the plan is still in its early stages.
Its going to be a lengthy process before we put a shovel in the ground, Roth said.
The Planning Board closed the hearing Thursday night and extended a 30-day period for residents to submit their written opinions on the proposal. Comments will be accepted through June 4 and can be submitted through the Planning Board secretary, Jacqui Koenig.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Mount Pleasant and receive free news updates.
