Virginia Tech's master plan, Beyond Boundaries 2047, anticipates approximately seven million square feet of additional building space, as well as a 2.1-mile pathway called an "infinity loop."
Virginia Tech's master plan proposes an “infinity loop” that would allow students and employees to walk around the entire campus almost entirely unobstructed. Virginia Tech officials are also looking into the possibility of employing an unmanned shuttle to assist with travel on the path.
“It’s a concept that needs to be vetted and fleshed out,” said Jason Soileau, Tech’s university architect, after the campus presented its plan to public officials of Blacksburg, Christiansburg, and Montgomery County at the Moss Arts Center.
The loop is part of Virginia Tech's master plan and the Beyond Boundaries 2047 initiative that Tech is drawing up to map the university’s future. Soileau couldn’t say how many new structures the campus is targeting for the next few decades, but he said the plan expects approximately seven million square feet of additional space.
It divides the campus into about a dozen separate districts. One of those districts, the Creativity and Innovation District, will include the area available after the demolition of the Squires Student Center. In its place, the university wants a public space to better accommodate student life, according to the presentation.
[caption id="attachment_8431" align="aligncenter" width="1021"]
Squires Student Center, courtesy campuslife.vt.edu[/caption]
Squires Student Center, courtesy campuslife.vt.edu[/caption]
The Creativity and Innovation District will feature shared spots that will encourage students to collaborate with local entrepreneurs. That district will also be adjacent to Blacksburg’s downtown, and Soileau said that one of its aims is to minimize university-recruited vendors and encourage students to visit local businesses.
Another district in Virginia Tech's master plan is called North Academic, which includes Burruss Hall — Tech’s main administration building — and an upcoming Multi-Modal Transit Facility. Soileau said the university would like to open up more spaces in the Burruss tunnel for a potential coffee shop and lounge areas.
"Changes to the tunnel’s lighting and acoustics are also being discussed," Soileau added.
[caption id="attachment_8430" align="aligncenter" width="768"]
Burruss Tunnel, courtesy lib.vt. edu[/caption]
Burruss Tunnel, courtesy lib.vt. edu[/caption]
As far as funding, Soileau said that Tech will inevitably need to rely more on private dollars, but he added that the university is also trying to be creative with funding.
Blacksburg’s Vice Mayor Susan Anderson said she was not surprised by any of Virginia Tech's master plan proposals, as she had already been privy to them.
“I like such forward-looking to the future,” she said, adding that the plan is very sensitive to accessibility needs.
The town of Blacksburg can’t control the work that goes on campus, but the enrollment growth still places development pressure on the town. Increased enrollment translates to more demand for off-campus housing as well as commercial development.
[caption id="attachment_8433" align="aligncenter" width="986"]
Town of Blacksburg, courtesy wset.com[/caption]
Town of Blacksburg, courtesy wset.com[/caption]
Anderson acknowledged those challenges and explained that one of the actions Blacksburg officials have taken recently is discussing projects with local apartment complexes to accommodate growth.
“I think town staff and council are both planning for future growth,” she said.
Are you a VT graduate? Sad about Squires being torn down? Excited for the changes? Let us know your opinions on Virginia Tech's master plan in the comments!
