On Sept. 21, architect Doug Johnston of William Rawn and Associates presented the preliminary findings of phase one of the University Master Plan. Johnston's work preserved the character of Professors Row, found a location for the new Music Building and changed the location of Sophia Gordon Hall.
"We have worked with a much more limited site area for the building that does not encroach on the building at 20 Professors Row, and I think our recommendation would be along the lines of preservation of those buildings, not trying to fold them into a new residence hall," Johnston said in September.
Other outcomes of the Master Plan include creating a "sense of arrival" for visitors to campus and improving uphill-downhill connections. The Master Plan also identified a number of "underutilized" sites where future development would be possible. Some of these sites would require the razing of existing buildings, while one plan included building over the train tracks behind Boston Ave.
Community opposition to new building projects dropped after Tufts' agreement not to demolish any buildings on Professors Row and a $2.5 million payment to both Medford and Somerville. The findings of the Master Plan were presented to both cities.
