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Post by sader1970 on Feb 11, 2023 17:58:52 GMT -5
At today's HCAA meeting Michele Murray, the Senior VP for Student Development and Mission spoke to us on a wide variety of subjects. Of interest, to me anyway, was that the 148 bed Townhouses and 68 bed Ciampi are expected to be ready for the fall for students. She said that they want to get the students out of "The Edge" residential rental properties in downtown Worcester and those beds will be used for that.
In the Q&A, I asked Michele if I then misunderstood Vince Rougeau's comments in the past (multiple times, actually) that those new beds would be used to empty out one hill dorm at a time for renovations. Fortunately for me as I'm starting to question my memory, she said that I did not misunderstand Vince as that had been the plan but they see it as a higher priority to get the students out of the downtown and on campus. So, the logical next question was how they would renovate the hill dorms while keeping most students on campus. Michele apparently didn't want to explicitly say it but she strongly implied that they will have to build another dorm between the PPAC and Figge (and lose another parking lot).
The Townhouses/Jesuit residence are moving along very quickly in part due to the mild winter. I took a picture of the Jesuit place but not sure it's much better than what you can see on the PPAC webcam.
And, if you were wondering, she reiterated that there is no plan to increase enrollment.
I got yet another tour of the PPAC and saw areas that I had not seen the first two times. It is awe-inspiring and money well spent (and I'm not an artsy guy!).
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Post by HC92 on Feb 12, 2023 9:37:27 GMT -5
If we build another dorm to serve as swing space, I assume that would mean we could increase enrollment a little once all the Hill dorms are done in a decade.
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Post by Pakachoag Phreek on Feb 12, 2023 10:13:02 GMT -5
Most recently, Rougeau, in describing the reconstruction of the Easy St. dorms, said the freshmen and sophomore dorms would become more like the residences for juniors/seniors. Which I took to mean is suites. Suites reduce bed density. There are two ways to achieve that: either add another floor or two to each of the Easy St. dorms,, or build additional dorm(s).
The four oldest Easy St. dorms each have between 180-200 beds.
It is not clear from what Murray said, how moving students from the Edge to campus alleviates the return of the triples because of the unexpected yield from the class of 2026.
And then there is Brooks (400 beds) and Wheeler (270 beds.) I think Loyola stays as is, given the private bathrooms.
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Post by sader1970 on Feb 12, 2023 10:39:00 GMT -5
Michele talked about how the hill dorms are not compatible (my words, not hers) with the needs of today’s students because of the lack of wiring as the kids are on computers, iPADs, cell phones, etc., etc. unlike most of those on the HCAA’s campus days.
I relayed to a couple of board members how I stayed on my old Junior & Senior corridor, Healey II during reunion weekend last June and it looked like the room was exactly like 52 years ago without any maintenance. At least 52 years ago it was that many years newer. Of course I picked that corridor for its “location, location, location.”😊
No one thought to ask about the triples or quads. 92 wasn’t there to remind us!😂
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Post by sader1970 on Feb 12, 2023 10:54:33 GMT -5
Oh, one last thing (hopefully), one of the "more mature" alums suggested that Michele's information was great for the HCAA BOD to hear but it would be worth sharing with all alums. Michele said that while she shares most of this with the parents of the current students and had thought about also sharing with alums and "too bad this wasn't recorded," she was told that indeed her presentation was recorded as a number of HCAA and former HCAA presidents (like Crucis) were on via Zoom.
She then said she would work with staff to try to combine and edit into one video what she shared with us and the students' parents.
So, something for all to look forward to but not sure how long this will take. Again, I'm pretty sure she doesn't want to get ahead of president Rougeau.
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Post by Pakachoag Phreek on Feb 12, 2023 12:05:53 GMT -5
Oh, one last thing (hopefully), one of the "more mature" alums suggested that Michele's information was great for the HCAA BOD to hear but it would be worth sharing with all alums. Michele said that while she shares most of this with the parents of the current students and had thought about also sharing with alums and "too bad this wasn't recorded," she was told that indeed her presentation was recorded as a number of HCAA and former HCAA presidents (like Crucis) were on via Zoom. She then said she would work with staff to try to combine and edit into one video what she shared with us and the students' parents. So, something for all to look forward to but not sure how long this will take. Again, I'm pretty sure she doesn't want to get ahead of president Rougeau. I bet she didn't discuss the $2.5 million of land and houses HC bought in the last four months. 97 College St and 99 College St. for $1,250,000 million 97 Kendig, 119 Kendig, 28 Boyden, 16 Clay St for $1.2 million a month ago. ^^^ These last four were the subject of a lawsuit basically for breach. The plaintiff was Madison Kendig Holdings who is building the Jesuit Residence v. HIGCO, a real estate holding company who owns numerous properties in Worcester. The case was settled in December, with prejudice, each side bearing their own costs. The first week of January, HC buys these four properties. Without Fr. K's great assistance in the past, i.e., reading real estate transfers in the T&G and posting about such on Crossports, I have devoted much of this morning reading court dockets,. I will post photos later.
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Post by Crucis#1 on Feb 12, 2023 12:30:49 GMT -5
Thanks Phreek for your insights. What is the speculation regarding how these properties will be developed?
Following up on Sader1970’s comments from the meeting, the Easy Street Dorms required replacement, and will not be renovated. I am looking forward to seeing the architectural rendering and shovels in the ground.
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Post by sader1970 on Feb 12, 2023 13:07:53 GMT -5
And you'd win that bet because you weren't there to ask about those sales. Get yourself on the HCAA and you can Zoom in like Crucis. I can't be the only gadfly on the Board.
And, no, don't bother speculating. Just the facts. man (paraphrasing Joe Friday).
Crucis, I don't recall that it was definitively stated the dorms will be replaced. But that might be a matter of interpretation as Michele said something like "if you liked Easy Street, say goodbye." (my paraphrasing). I was impressed how she was trying to finesse what she said - saying things without specifically saying things. Then again, I know you have other sources.
Crucis, you may well be right but the plan was to use the Townhouses for the overflow students upon renovation/demolition. Stuff happens. While the original plan was to renovate the fieldhouse, they decided it was more cost effective to demolish it and build The Jo. And, as Phreek has told us many times, much of that money was to come from the sale of wine. That didn't happen either, apparently. The master plan seems to be behind schedule for release. It's quite possible the master plan will be like all battle plans. When the first shots are fired, the plan goes out the window. At minimum, I will wager that the master plan has gone through a number of iterations and maybe more to come as it gets closer to implementation. (Yeah, that's "speculating" but based on many years of creating and implementing plans).
You have to think that now that the strategic plan is out with its "6 pillars" that the master campus plan would shortly follow. I'll also wager that there will be some caveats in it so the Board has flexibility to change things when reality hits.
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Post by Crucis#1 on Feb 12, 2023 13:24:21 GMT -5
I am pretty sure, that she stated that the dorms will be replaced, as I remember discussion about the possibility of buying bricks from an Easy Street Dorm after demolition. IIRC, there is a concern regarding material in the current building used for insulation that may not allow for bricks to be sold to nostalgic minded alums.
Also, unless I misunderstood, and heard my own interpretation, which is possible, the swing space for Easy Street replacement will be in a new residence to be constructed between Prior and Figge.
Exciting time on Mt. St. James, with a “can do, will do, attitude.”
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Post by sader1970 on Feb 12, 2023 13:32:08 GMT -5
Yes, we agree on the new dorm location. I used "PPAC" and you used "Prior" but same difference. And, yes, she did talk about buying bricks from the dorms. FWIW, I didn't ask but have a brick from the old fieldhouse. I didn't have to buy it. They were there for the taking. The workers doing the demolition didn't care and I probably could have taken a wheelbarrow full. Let's see how this all rolls out when it's "official."
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Post by Pakachoag Phreek on Feb 12, 2023 14:27:29 GMT -5
Thanks Phreek for your insights. What is the speculation regarding how these properties will be developed? Following up on Sader1970’s comments from the meeting, the Easy Street Dorms required replacement, and will not be renovated. I am looking forward to seeing the architectural rendering and shovels in the ground. ^^^119 Kendig, sold in January. Abuts college property on City View. (Part of the settled lawsuit) ^^^^97 -99 Kendig, sold in January, abuts college property on City View. (Lawsuit) ^^^28 Boyden Sold in January, across the street from Clay St. (Lawsuit) ^^^15 Clay St. sold in January. Clay St is of great interest to HC (lawsuit) Map(s) to come on why 15 Clay is of such interest to HC. ^^^99 College. (at corner of Kendig.) Sold to HC last fall. ^^^^97 College. Sold to HC last fall. College told Worcester Business Journal that 97 and 99 College are for faculty. ---------------------- Re; the Easy St. dorms. Perhaps by replacement, the College means to gut these, taking them down to the steel and concrete slabs.
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Post by alum on Feb 12, 2023 14:33:46 GMT -5
TANGENT ALERT—-When/how did the term Easy Street come into usage for the pathway behind the hill dorms? I have wondered since I saw an impromptu party develop there in my first days as a student all those years ago.
Was it in use going back to the 60s?
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Post by Pakachoag Phreek on Feb 12, 2023 15:14:15 GMT -5
Clay St.HC bought 15 Clay. A real estate developer/contractor in Boston owns 11, 9, 7 Clay. 1, 3, and 5 Clay An individual living in Millbury owns 1, 3, and 5 Clay St., under a living revocable trust. HC owns most of the properties to the right of the blue line. These are on College St. between Clay and Boyden. HC bought the small house at 33 Boyden several years ago. The yellow lines indicate the property line.
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Post by Pakachoag Phreek on Feb 12, 2023 15:23:52 GMT -5
97 College, 99 College, and 97 Kendig. House marked 2 is on City View and owned by HC, as well as houses to its right on City View.
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Post by CHC8485 on Feb 12, 2023 15:33:43 GMT -5
TANGENT ALERT—-When/how did the term Easy Street come into usage for the pathway behind the hill dorms? I have wondered since I saw an impromptu party develop there in my first days as a student all those years ago. Was it in use going back to the 60s? Oh that "impromptu" Easy Street party on the first day upperclassmen returned to campus each fall. Not sure when the college put an end to it, but it was being tolerated in the Fall of 1981 when I started so have to believe when the drinking age went to 21, the clamps came down. As to the name of the street behind the hill dorms ... my understanding is that it picked up that moniker because it was the only flat street on campus and thus required far less effort to walk than any other street on campus therefore Easy Street.
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Post by sader1970 on Feb 12, 2023 15:38:06 GMT -5
alum, I never heard the term until I came to Crossports, a number of decades after I left. Don't think I even heard it from my '98 son but then again, it might have gone in one ear and out the other. Pretty sure I read on Crossports in the early years that someone explained the term was used because the road was one of the only ones on campus that was level and therefore "easy." If any 60's, 70's or 80's alums heard of the term while a student, speak up.
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Post by Crucis#1 on Feb 12, 2023 16:55:07 GMT -5
I do not remember the name Easy Street when I was in school. I heard the term first used in summer of 1974, when I was talking to fellow alum ( Class of 1974) over lunch when we worked in the same organization. So the term originally came into use in the early 70’s by several people, then was widely accepted for the name of the rear path of the hill dorms.
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Post by HC92 on Feb 13, 2023 7:29:23 GMT -5
TANGENT ALERT—-When/how did the term Easy Street come into usage for the pathway behind the hill dorms? I have wondered since I saw an impromptu party develop there in my first days as a student all those years ago. Was it in use going back to the 60s? Oh that "impromptu" Easy Street party on the first day upperclassmen returned to campus each fall. Not sure when the college put an end to it, but it was being tolerated in the Fall of 1981 when I started so have to believe when the drinking age went to 21, the clamps came down. As to the name of the street behind the hill dorms ... my understanding is that it picked up that moniker because it was the only flat street on campus and thus required far less effort to walk than any other street on campus therefore Easy Street. The first night back party on Easy Street definitely happened in 1988. I believe that was the last one before they banned it.
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Post by hc1998 on Feb 13, 2023 8:17:43 GMT -5
Whether you heard it from your son or not, I don't know...but the name was there as I was familiar with it
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Post by hc6774 on Feb 13, 2023 8:28:44 GMT -5
Oh that "impromptu" Easy Street party on the first day upperclassmen returned to campus each fall. Not sure when the college put an end to it, but it was being tolerated in the Fall of 1981 when I started so have to believe when the drinking age went to 21, the clamps came down. As to the name of the street behind the hill dorms ... my understanding is that it picked up that moniker because it was the only flat street on campus and thus required far less effort to walk than any other street on campus therefore Easy Street. The first night back party on Easy Street definitely happened in 1988. I believe that was the last one before they banned it. this sounds right; my son '90 made me aware on the name & reputation but not the origin. He was on Clark 3 junior year; an RA on City View senior year.
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Post by Pakachoag Phreek on Feb 13, 2023 8:30:57 GMT -5
The parking lots between the PPAC and Figge. Some/many of the newer spaces (fresh asphalt) are reserved for the PPAC staff/faculty/performing artists/etc, Figge has 156 beds, so a new hall would probably need 180-200 beds to serve as swing space fduring reconstruction of an Easy St. dorm
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Post by sader1970 on Feb 13, 2023 8:47:16 GMT -5
Well, cripes, Phreek, and here we've been blaming the Chinese for spy balloons and other UFOs* over Alaska, Yukon and the Great Lakes!! I'll be dropping a dime on you (yes, someone explain what that means to the young ones here) with the Pentagon so we don't waste more jet fuel or missiles. * I'm a traditionalist - they are Unidentified Flying Objects
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Post by Tom on Feb 14, 2023 10:38:21 GMT -5
Thanks Phreek for your insights. What is the speculation regarding how these properties will be developed? Following up on Sader1970’s comments from the meeting, the Easy Street Dorms required replacement, and will not be renovated. I am looking forward to seeing the architectural rendering and shovels in the ground. I question the need for replacement. The school might choose to replace because it's easier to make suites or whatever to attract 21st century students but that is not the same as requiring replacement. Was construction so shoddy in the 60's the hill dorms need to be demolished while Carlin and Alumni are still adequate?
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Post by HC92 on Feb 14, 2023 10:52:55 GMT -5
Thanks Phreek for your insights. What is the speculation regarding how these properties will be developed? Following up on Sader1970’s comments from the meeting, the Easy Street Dorms required replacement, and will not be renovated. I am looking forward to seeing the architectural rendering and shovels in the ground. I question the need for replacement. The school might choose to replace because it's easier to make suites or whatever to attract 21st century students but that is not the same as requiring replacement. Was construction so shoddy in the 60's the hill dorms need to be demolished while Carlin and Alumni are still adequate? If you want to bring the dorms up to a place where they are an asset to attracting students in 2030 and well beyond, the only thing you could keep would be the exterior walls. Guessing it’s easier/cheaper/quicker to just knock them down and start over.
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Post by Crucis#1 on Feb 14, 2023 12:06:43 GMT -5
From my understanding, The Easy Street Dorms have issues with installation material abatement that may be more costly and time consuming to renovate the current buildings than new construction.
Do the current building have any architectural redeeming value or historical significance that merit they be retained? Time to take a completely fresh approach to meeting a 21st Century residential campus environment that may be more visually appealing than the current buildings.
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