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Master Plan

UAH
Mixed Use
District
April 2019
Contents

01 The Charge
02 The Site
03 The Process
04 The Crossing
05 The Master Plan
01

The Charge
A New Mixed-Use District for UAH
Unrivaled Opportunities
New Property
UAH has purchased 58 flexibles acres across Entertainment Anchors
Sparkman Drive from the Bevill Center. The district will be anchored by a new multi-
purpose facility that houses UAH hockey,
Unmatched Location basketball, volleyball, and events, as well as a
The site sits along University Drive directly performing arts theatre.
between UAH’s campus core and the coming
MidCity development. Collaboration Ready
Providing office space for the Huntsville’s private
New Campus Heart sector, the district can increase collaboration and
With a diverse mix of campus life amenities, the offer world-class job opportunities for students.
district can serve as the center of the student life
experience. Talent Acquisition
Enhanced recruiting and retention of the most
Walkable Housing Options talented students and faculty from across the
A robust, new offering of student housing options globe.
that provides campus-adjacent living.

College Town Vibe


A lively cluster of student-focused retail, food, and
beverage options that builds the college town
experience.
The UAH Mixed Use District

Vision Planned Uses


The University of Alabama in Huntsville has Residential Student Housing
acquired approximately 58 flexible acres 800,000 square feet / 2,000 students
of property directly across from campus
to the west along Sparkman Drive. It is the Ground Floor Commercial Retail
University’s intention and the goal of the 170,000 square feet
Mixed Use District Master Plan to transition
this property into a new district oriented Multi-Purpose Facility
toward the life of students and faculty outside Athletics, Performing Arts, & Community Events
of the classroom. This district will host housing 165,000 square feet
and lifestyle amenities, such as dining,
entertainment, events, performances, and Parks & Open Spaces
outdoor recreation in an active environment. 3.5 acres
This property presents the opportunity to
create a signature “college town” experience.
The Place.

Stitched into the


fabric of the
university with its
own unique
thread.
The Place.

An expression of
opportunity,
connection,
and pride in
place.
The Place.

Charismatic.
Engaging.
Authentic.
02

The Site
58-acres of Opportunity
Campus
University Drive
Properties
Study
Site

Sparkman Drive
Bradford Drive

Core
Campus

5
I-56
Univ
ersit
y Dr
ive
rive
nD
Wyn

Ho
lm
es
Av
enu
e

Sparkman Drive
Study Area
Location
58.73 ACRES
Huntsville
Community

Cummings
Research
Park

UAH
Campus +
Culture
Residential
Character

The Vision.
Bringing Together
the Context.
03

The Process
Research, Surveying and Benchmarking
Campus Stories
Campus Surveys

Total Responses Number of Days

2,278 8
Students Faculty/Staff

1,742 536
Today, how do
you get around
on campus?
Which places/
businesses within
Huntsville do you
go to the most?
What activities do
you participate in
off campus?
Which food and
beverage options
would you like to
see in this district?
Which products
and services would
you like to see
offered in this
new commercial
district?
Which
entertainment
options would you
like to see offered in
this new, lively area
of campus?
Which types of
public amenities
would make this
area welcoming and
inviting?
Highlights of the Surveys

1. A Place to Call Home 6. Small, Flexible Units 10. Essential Products and Service
Students see this district as a place that Students would prefer small, inexpensive Students, faculty, and staff are seeking
they would live multiple years during their units in which they can either live alone or basic products/services, such as a health
college experience. with one roommate. There is a need for clinic, grocery, pharmacy, and post office,
other non-traditional housing (married, as opposed to lifestyle/trendy options like a
2. Urban Setting family, pet-friendly). clothing store, salon, or bike shop.
All respondents wanted to spend time in a
lively, walkable area with a “downtown vibe” 7. Fast Casual 11. Event Space
and a “college town energy.” Students want fast casual restaurants Students, faculty, and staff all speak of an
and see them as fresh, healthy options. unmet need for on-campus event space, for
3. Great Public Realm There is an aversion to basic fast food get-togethers large and small, formal and
Students, faculty, and staff would like establishments. informal.
a vibrant public park and wide, inviting
sidewalks in the district. 8. Table Service 12. University Functions
The faculty and staff wish to see a sit- The faculty and staff sense that there are a
4. Dense Community down restaurant that feels like part of the number of university services that might be
Students want to live in stacked apartments campus culture where they can take longer more welcoming or better utilized if located
with a sense of community and seem to lunches with peers, guests, clients, and job within the district.
welcome the idea of the district being home candidates.
to Huntsville’s young professional crowd. 13. Going Green
9. Early Mornings and Late Nights Students, faculty, and staff all see
5. Not Just Students Students, faculty, and staff all want a environmental responsibility as extremely
44% of the faculty and staff said they would unique coffee shop that feels like their own, important for UAH.
consider living in the district if their housing while students see a immense need for 24-
standards were met, as they would like a hour food service.
walkable community near campus.
University Mixed-Use District Case Studies

Kendall Square The Drag The Strip Downtown Athens University City The Hill
MIT University of Texas Alabama UGA Penn CU Boulder
Metropolitan Shopping Main Street Downtown Big City Entertainment
Dense Funky One Story Streetscape Active Creative

Toomer’s Corner Tech Square Campus Corner South Campus Gateway College Park District Nicholson Gateway
Auburn Georgia Tech University of Oklahoma Ohio State UT Arlington LSU
Historic Urban Storefronts Shopping Commuter Residential
Small Town Contemporary Fine Grain Parking Multi-Purpose Facility Mixed Use
Univsersity Mixed Use Districts
University Mixed Use District DNA

Public Realm & Food & Products & University Outdoor


Services Programming
Civic Amenities Beverage Retail Facilities Recreation
Small Town / Main Street Fast Food Bookstore Pharmacy Apartments 24-7 Activity Running Paths

Important Corner Junction Pizza Takeout Grocery Cell/Mobile Multi-Purpose Facility Festivals Sports Fields

Small Storefronts Coffee Co-Op Store Bike Repair Dorms Food Trucks Ice Skating

Branding / Banners Bakery Bike Shop Copy/Print/Ship Classrooms Farmers Market Workout Equipment

Wayfinding Ice Cream/Yogurt Clothing Bank / ATM Faculty Club Tailgating / Game Day Canoe / Kayak / Boat

Wide Sidewalks Burrito / Taco / Mexican Health / Supplements Hotel Public Yoga

Unique Identity Donuts / Bagel Convenience Store Dry Cleaners Concert Series

Pedestrian Focus Breakfast Discount Clothing Barber Shop / Salon

Landscaping Sandwich / Sub Computer / Tech Store Computer Repair

Outdoor Seating BBQ / Wings / Chicken Outfitters Music Venue

Bike Racks Cookies Office/School Supply Paid Parking

Public Art Chinese / Thai / Noodles Personalized/Greek Apparel Medical Center

Transit Station / Bus Stop Pita / Gyros / Wraps Amazon

Park Food Court / Food Hall Movie Theater

Performing Arts Center Indian Dentist

Library Juice bar/smoothie Apartment Finder

Greek/Mediterranean
Major Takeaways for UAH

1. Unique Identity 5. Bike focus 9. Casual Food Service


Great districts have a brand that Cycling infrastructure supports Quick and inexpensive food
is independent from campus that a robust bike culture as a key aligns with students’ schedules /
fosters culture and pride. transit mode. lifestyles.

2. Campus Edge 6. Public Space 10. Daily Needs


These districts are usually Great districts are anchored The products and services
located off-campus or on a with a central park or plaza offered typically align with basic
campus edge, bridging the that serves as a social hub and items that meet daily needs.
university-community gap. activity venue.
11. Limited University Presence
3. Physical Form 7. Fine Grain Retail If a university is present at all, it
Districts typically take the form Small shops and storefronts is more in a assistance role with
of long main streets with a allow for unique, local vendors housing or other support.
notable corner intersection. and student-friendly price points.
12. Programming
4. Walkable 8. Diverse Food Options Students seek lively
Wide pedestrian sidewalks with A diverse student body calls for programming outside of the
outdoor café seating and retail a variety of food options. classroom and enjoy 24-7
displays serve as promenades. lifestyles.
04

The Crossing
Connecting Across Sparkman
Pedestrian Overpass

Cooper Street Pedestrian Bridges BP Pedestrian Bridge Washington Avenue Transit Mall
University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX Millennium Park , Chicago, IL University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN

Fifth Street Bridge Rocinha Bridge Fifth Street Bridge


Georgia Tech, Atlanta, GA Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Georgia Tech, Atlanta, GA
At-Grade Crosswalk

Artwork Pavers Pedestrian Scramble Pedestrian Plaza Gateway


Auburn University, Auburn, AL Georgia Tech, Atlanta, GA Ohio State University, Columbus, OH

Campus Gates Artwork Crosswalk Pedestrian Refuge


University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK University of Texas, Austin, TX Colorado University, Boulder, CO
05

The Master Plan


A Walk Through the District
The Master Plan Univ
ersit
y Dr
ive

Multi-Purpose
Facility
rive

Central
nD

Park
Wyn

Ho
lm
es
Av
enu
e
Wetlands
Park

Sparkman Drive
The Master Plan Univ
ersit
y Dr
Structure ive
rive
nD
Wyn

Ho
lm
es
Av
enu
e

Sparkman Drive
Pedestrian Spine
Main Street
Parks / Open Space
The Planned Uses Univ
ersit
y Dr
ive
rive
nD
Wyn

Ho
Multi-Purpose Facility lm
es
Office / Institutional Av
enu
Retail e
Residential + Retail

Sparkman Drive
Residential
Hotel
Parks / Open Space
Parking
Experience #1
Univ
Sparkman ersit
y Dr
ive
Crossing Gateway

Multi-Purpose
Facility
rive

Central
nD

Park
Wyn

Ho
lm
es
Av
e 1
nu
e
Wetlands
Park

Sparkman Drive
Experience #1
Sparkman
Crossing Gateway
Experience #2
Univ
The Canyon ersit
y Dr
ive

Multi-Purpose
Facility
rive

Central
nD

Park
2
Wyn

Ho
lm
es
Av
enu
e
Wetlands
Park

Sparkman Drive
Experience #2
The Canyon
Experience #3
Univ
University Corners ersit
y Dr
ive
Neighborhood

Multi-Purpose
Facility
rive

Central
nD

Park
Wyn

Ho
lm
es
Av
enu
e 3
Wetlands
Park

Sparkman Drive
Experience #3
University Corners
Neighborhood
Experience #4
Univ
Park Kiosk ersit
y Dr
ive

Multi-Purpose
Facility
rive

Central
nD

Park
4
Wyn

Ho
lm
es
Av
enu
e
Wetlands
Park

Sparkman Drive
Experience #4
Park Kiosk
Experience #5
Univ
Central Park ersit
y Dr
ive

Multi-Purpose
Facility
rive

Central
nD

Park
5
Wyn

Ho
lm
es
Av
enu
e
Wetlands
Park

Sparkman Drive
Experience #5
Central Park
Experience #6
Univ
Wetlands Park ersit
y Dr
ive

Multi-Purpose
Facility
rive

Central
nD

Park
Wyn

Ho
lm
es 6
Av
enu
e
Wetlands
Park

Sparkman Drive
Experience #6
Wetlands Park
Experience #7
Univ
Multi-Purpose ersit
y Dr
ive
Facility

Multi-Purpose
Facility
rive

Central
nD

Park
7
Wyn

Ho
lm
es
Av
enu
e
Wetlands
Park

Sparkman Drive
Experience #7
Multi-Purpose
Facility
The UAH Mixed Use District

A new district oriented


toward the life of students
and faculty outside of
the classroom to create a
signature “college town”
experience.

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