Lakeshore Nature Preserve Outreach Center – Advanced Plan

An Advanced Planning Study was conducted between July 2022 and June 2023 to determine the scope, budget, and schedule of a new building at the Lakeshore Nature Preserve.

View the Final Advanced Plan (6-15-23)

Specific outcomes of the Advanced Planning Study:

• Verify spaces needed in the building.
• Study building location options and recommend a preferred site.
• Suggest how the building relates to the adjacent use.
• Determine level of achievable sustainability. Review the potential for the building to be off-grid and carbon-neutral.
• Determine what certification model will be used to guide the building development: Living building Challenge or Petals, LEED, etc.
• Propose appropriate architecture for this building.

The building is envisioned to house the Preserve staff offices and maintenance shop, multi-purpose space for support of the teaching, research and outreach mission of the University, restrooms and space for interpretive displays.

The University, Preserve and design team have additional aspirations for the building:

• Respect the full cultural history of this place.
• Inspire interest in sustainable buildings.
• Learning opportunities for students, facilities staff, and community.
• Provide hands on experience and understanding of natural areas and their management.
• Nurture a positive connection between people and the earth.

Outreach Center Phase I Project Timeline:

Public Information Meetings:

To develop a building and site that best serves the University, Lakeshore Nature Preserve and community, stakeholder input collected during the Strategic Plan and the Preserve Master Plan Update was reviewed and considered along with public engagement from numerous stakeholder meetings and two public information meetings.

Cleansing and Blessing Ceremony November 1, 2022 | 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm at Lot 130

• Ceremony location at entrance to Picnic Point – look for the tent
• Site accessible by Route 80 bus, Howard Temin Lakeshore Path, or vehicle – parking at Lot 130

Public Information Meeting #1, November 1, 2022 | 7:00 pm at Union South:

Project Introduction – vision, goals and discussion of building location options – pros/cons

• Meeting recording
• Presentation (PDF)

Public Information Meeting #2, March 28, 2023 | 7:00-8:30 pm at Union South: 

Prior input, pattern language, energy and sustainable strategies, preferred site option, cultural considerations.

• Meeting recording
• Presentation (PDF)