The second part of the Campus Facilities Master Plan (2003-04) was an evaluation of facility needs and priorities.  Several alternative plans for future campus development were discussed and shared with the community.  A final, revised plan was selected.

The inquiries were structured as follows:

Identify “highest and best use” of facilities

• What are the options for reuse of existing buildings?
• • Can existing buildings be assigned to other functions?
  • Identify “sacred spaces” that should not be changed
• Identify buildings to take out of “inventory”
• Are renovations feasible, given cost estimates and code requirements?
• Some facilities may be more effectively replaced by new construction.
• Identify needs for additional square footage
• • Replacement needs
  • Room for future growth or expansion in line with College goals
  • New or changing programs
  • Consider appropriate scale for campus culture
  • Integration and “fit” with the campus as a whole
  • Environmental impact

Strategic alternatives

Explored strategies in order to:

• Strengthen links between main campus and areas across Campus Avenue
• Strengthen links between main campus and athletic areas across Central Avenue
• Strengthen east-west links through the campus
• Address relative isolation of some residence halls
• Address weak “wayfinding” and “sense of arrival” issues

Identified critical facilities needs and outlined steps to:

• Upgrade residence halls
• Address outdated and overtaxed dining facilities
• Address other long term space needs and improve existing spaces
• Initiate a sequence of new building and renovation projects that can encompass major planning objectives

Present and select among alternative design concepts

• Sasaki consultants present 3 to 6 alternative design concepts
• College selects 1 to 3 options for further refinement
• Final concept is selected and approved by Trustees
• Probable cost analysis

Bates College specialfacilities overview:

• 47 academic and administrative support buildings
• 36 residential buildings
• The Edmund S. Muskie Archives and Special Collection Library
• The Olin Arts Center
• The Bates College Museum of Art
• Lavinia Miriam Schaeffer Theater
• Gannett Theater
• Black Box Theater
• Bates-Morse Mountain Conservation Area
• Bates College Coastal Center at Shortridge
• The Multicultural Center
• Benjamin E. Mays Center
• Stephens Observatory 0.32 meter reflecting telescope
• Spitz A-3 planetarium
• Alumni House
• Bates Language Resource Center
• Joan Holmes Perry ’51 Atrium
• Student Wellness Center
• Dunn Guest House
• Athletic Facilities
• Keigwin Amphitheater