As Tufts becomes a larger and more internationally recognized institution, it is creating a new master plan for the layout of its Medford/Somerville property.
The plan could transform the architectural heart of the campus, and change its character.
Designers hope the plan will incorporate the evolving interests of the University and the desires of the surrounding communities.
The University hired William Rawn Associates, a Boston-based architectural firm, to develop the new master plan. The previous master plan was drawn up during the mid-1980s and included such projects as the construction of Olin Hall.
Some community preservation advocates said the University is not doing enough to preserve the tradition of the Tufts campus, especially the string of buildings along Professors Row.
The Somerville Historic Preservation Committee (SHPC) has deemed several buildings along the street - some of which the University planned to tear down - as historic.
Current plans for the street - the original border of campus - include construction plans of a new music building and dormitory, the latter of which has been stopped in its tracks by the SHPC.
Architect William Rawn emphasized that with proper planning, Tufts' space could be transformed to "get more out of the campus and not encroach on neighborhoods."
The new master plan does not yet include development of Professors Row, but Vice President of Operations John Roberto said that one of the goals of the planning would include makingProfessors Row and parallel Talbot Avenue "fit into the future of the campus."
"We are not in the position yet of making recommendations on each of those streets," Rawn said. "It's such a specific issue [that] it's tempting to try to solve it before you try to solve other issues," he said.
Rawn said his company would "clearly be making recommendations" about the future of Professors Row at some time in the master planning process.
"We've learned a lot over the years about working with the city in some of our projects," Director of Community Relations Barbara Rubel said. "We have brought neighbors in on projects, and they make them better. So, our first effort would be to see if we can reach some common ground."
Rubel said the surrounding communities are generally pleased by the current look and feel of the campus. "I think without exception if you walk up to a resident of Medford or Somerville they will tell you that the campus is beautiful," she said.
However, Rubel acknowledged that the University's growing pains are often at odds with certain members of the community, and that the perception of the campus "really depends who you're talking to."
Both Rubel and Roberto emphasized that Medford and Somerville officials would be included in the master planning process, as they have been in the past.
Roberto said that all development would have to be consistent with current zoning laws and that the communities would be brought into discussion "at the appropriate time."
Rubel said the Dover Amendment, a Massachusetts law that allows religious and educational institutions to develop their land with only "reasonable regulations concerning the bulk and height of structures and determining yard sizes, lot area, setbacks, open space, parking and building coverage requirements," could give the University some leeway.
Though the plan is still in the early stages of development, it is expected to increase the research space available while protecting the campus' "patterns of place" - areas such as the President's Lawn and the Academic Quad. "Those areas give us a framework about how to think about the whole campus and make sure we don't lose those qualities," Rawn said.
There is also going to be an effort to improve the connections between different departments and schools on campus.
Rawn said the plan will focus on underused portions of the campus' interior in order to maximize the use of the land. "We've been walking the campus trying to find vacant areas that haven't been fully explored," he said. "There are certain sites which might be able to sustain additions to buildings."
He said some parking lots could be eliminated or reconfigured in order to include landscaping that would "spread the quality of President's Lawn and the quad to the rest of campus."
Roberto agreed with Rawn on the need for preservation of parts of the campus. The Academic Quad is part of a "very traditional New England campus" that should be preserved, Roberto said.
The plan will be implemented over ten years, and the pace of completing the recommendations set forth will be set partially by fundraising. "It's going to be incremental development," Roberto said. "That would be consistent with fundraising and our ability to pay for the developments."
The planners will speak with faculty, students, and administrators to get a better understanding of the University's needs. "We feel it's important to have conversations before planning," Rawn said.
Earlier this semester, open meetings were held on campus to discuss the beginnings of the master plan.
Roberto said the areas of campus that need the most improvement are on the edges of the campus where it "spills off" into the surrounding community. The master plan must also address how the campus relates to the main streets which run through it, Boston Avenue and College Avenue.
Some of Rawn's other projects include the West Campus at Northeastern University, a portion of the campus of the University of Virginia, and affordable housing along Charlestown Navy Yard in Charlestown, Mass.
