A S E 1
L O N G R A N G E D E V E L O P M E N T P L A N
6 - 1
P H A S E 1
PHASE 1
The land use and circulation plans described in the previous pages
establish a framework for the full development of the UC Merced
campus. This chapter describes the rst phase of development.
The character of the campus and its circulation and utilities net-
works will be established by the layout of Phase 1.
Site Description
The site of Phase 1 is a portion of an existing golf course that was
built at the southwest corner of the Virginia Smith Trust lands in
1994. The Phase 1 project has been designed on the existing golf
course site to avoid wetlands and special status species. The site
is bounded on the north by the fence enclosing the undeveloped
grazing lands of the Trust and County land, and on the south by
an irregular line, which is located outside of the watershed of
existing vernal pools and swales. This creates a buffer between
the Phase 1 development and wetlands resources. Approximately
half of the existing golf course is available for development in
Phase 1. The Faireld Canal bisects the site and demarcates a
change in elevation of about 30 feet between the south and north
portions of the site. The lower portion contains a small lake that
serves as a water feature in the existing golf course.
Fig. 6.1
Phase 1: Approach to
Academic Core, with the
Library and Library Grove
Beyond 6 - 2
U N I V E R S I T Y O F C A L I F O R N I A , M E R C E D
P H A S E 1
Establishing a Sense of Place
While the constraints of Phase 1 require that the campus begin in
one corner of the Main Campus site, its layout provides for the
creation of a sense of place and completeness on opening day. The
location of streets and major buildings is intended to make a
seamless transition to subsequent phases as the campus grows.
The primary access to the campus in the future will be on
University Drive from the extension of the Campus Parkway (See
Figure 4.22). Initial access to the campus will be from Lake Road.
Visitors, cyclists, and commuting students will enter on Main
Street. A second entry, corresponding to the existing golf course
entry, will be used by construction and service vehicles and access
to faculty parking. The visitor entry will be clearly marked at
Lake Road, and commuter parking near the entry will be screened
by berms and heavy landscaping (Figure 6.4). Landscaping selected
for spring and fall color will highlight the curve of Main Street as
a visitor passes the first campus housing and turns toward the
Academic Core (Figure 6.2).
Main Street will continue past the small existing lake (Figure 6.5)
and across the Fairfield Canal (Figure 6.1). Visitors in cars will
park to the left of the library. Main Street will continue as a
pedestrian enclave at this point (Figure 6.3). The character of Main
Street will be established from the beginning by distinctive
planters and groupings of trees. (Compare Figure 5.7 which shows
Main Street in front of the Phase 1 Classroom Building with
Figure 5.8, which shows the future Main Street at the social
heart). As part of Phase 1, the Library Grove will anchor this end
of Main Street (See Figure 5.31) just as the Old Barn Park will
eventually anchor the other end at some point in the future. L O N G R A N G E D E V E L O P M E N T P L A N
6 - 3
P H A S E 1
Fig. 6.2
(left)
Main Street at Phase 1
Adjacent to Housing
Looking East
Fig. 6.3
(right)
Main Street at Beginning
of Pedestrian Zone
Fig. 6.4
Phase 1 Entry
from Lake Road 6 - 4
U N I V E R S I T Y O F C A L I F O R N I A , M E R C E D
P H A S E 1
Program for Phase 1
Phase 1 will accommodate all the buildings needed for the
campus from opening day in 2004 to the 2007/08 school year.
It is anticipated that permits for development outside the Phase 1
area will become available no later than 2004. Thus parking and
construction of most complex building facilities needed after
2007/08 will be outside the Phase 1 site.
On opening day 2004, the campus will consist of the following
elements (square footage figures are approximate and subject to
final design):
A library/information technology center of 120,000 assigna-
ble square feet. This facility will also include campus
administrative ofces and student services.
A science and engineering building of 100,000 assignable
square feet. This facility will accommodate the Divisions
of Engineering and Natural Sciences and will incorporate
teaching and research laboratories and faculty ofces for
both divisions.
A classroom building of 60,000 assignable square feet.
This facility will accommodate the Division of Social
Sciences, Humanities and Arts and will include small and
large classrooms for the entire campus and faculty ofces.
Fig. 6.5
Main Street at Student
Housing and Dining
Commons Facing Lake and
Meadows L O N G R A N G E D E V E L O P M E N T P L A N
6 - 5
P H A S E 1
A central plant of 20,000 gross square feet which will provide
heating for all academic buildings and chilling for the entire
campus and will include a thermal energy storage tank for
maximum energy cost savings and one-quarter reduction of
the campus load on the state energy infrastructure.
An energy performance monitoring system to optimize
campus operations, inform the design of future buildings and
infrastructure, and make the campus physical facilities part
of a living laboratory for the study of energy engineering
and resource conservation.
Housing for approximately 600 students in buildings of up to
three-stories with a variety of units, including apartments
and suites.
Food service facilities to serve the student housing and for
daytime use by commuter students, faculty, staff and visitors.
Recreational and athletic facilities to meet the needs of
students in the rst years of campus operation.
Parking in surface lots. To the extent feasible initial lots will
be developed on permanent sites with a heavy canopy of
trees. Temporary parking will be provided on some future
building sites in the initial campus core.
Roads, bridges and utilities systems connecting all facilities
including a utilities tunnel connecting the central plant and
science and engineering building.
By 2007/08, when Phase 1 construction will be complete, the
following additional facilities will have been built.
A second science and engineering building of around 67,000
assignable square feet. A social sciences building of about
60,000 assignable square feet.
A campus logistical/support services facilities building of
20,000 assignable square feet for environmental health and
safety, police and re, physical plant, facilities and grounds
maintenance, mail services, purchasing and material
management.
Additional playing elds and recreational facilities.
Additional housing for approximately 1600 students to be
built in phases as is feasible to maintain the campus goal of
50% of students housed.
Additional permanent parking in landscaped surface lots. 6 - 6
U N I V E R S I T Y O F C A L I F O R N I A , M E R C E D
P H A S E 1
250
250
250
250
250
275
Fig. 6.6
Phase 1 Land Use Plan
P H A S E 1
ACADEMIC CORE
STUDENT HOUSING
CAMPUS SUPPORT
PARKING
ATHLETICS, RECREATION &
OPEN SPACE
250
250
250
275
250
250
250
2
75
250
250
250
2
75
250
250
250
2
75
500'
1000'
0
1500'
250
250
250
2
75
250
250
250
2
75
250
250
250
2
75
N L O N G R A N G E D E V E L O P M E N T P L A N
6 - 7
P H A S E 1
250
250
250
250
250
275
COUNTY PARK
PARKING
90 CARS
future 100' R.O.W.
30' setback
L
A
K
E
R
O
AD
78
unit
s
100 cars
Library Grove
Detention Pond
TEMPORARY
PARKING
256 cars
(future housing)
FOOD
SERVICE
65 units
35 units
41 units
61 units
59
unit
s
45 units
LOGISTICS/
SUPPORT SERVICES
78
unit
s
STUDENT
HOUSING
CENTRAL PLANT
TEMPORARY
PARKING
242 cars
SCIENCE + ENG.1
CLASSROOM 2
(Social Science+
Management)
under construction
W 9th Street
Main Street
30' setback
W 1st Street
W 2nd Street
Little Lake Road
W 4th Street
104
un
its
PARKING
W 6th Street
W 8th Street
73 units
29 units
RECREATION
SPORTS
E Street
SCIENCE + ENG.2
CLASSROOM 1
LIBRARY
W 7th Street
E S
tree
t
30' setback
TEMPORARY
PARKING
321 cars
TEMPORARY
PARKING
374 cars
(future housing)
TEMPORARY
PARKING
1033 cars
PERMANENT
PARKING
362 cars
PERMANENT
PARKING
101 cars
~36 cars~
P H A S E 1
Fig. 6.7
Year 2007/8 Plan
250
250
250
2
75
250
250
250
2
75
250
250
250
2
75
N
250
250
250
275
800'
0
400'
200
ACADEMIC CORE
STUDENT HOUSING
CAMPUS SUPPORT
PARKING
ATHLETICS, RECREATION
250
250
250
275 6 - 8
U N I V E R S I T Y O F C A L I F O R N I A , M E R C E D
P H A S E 1
Circulation and Parking
Only the initial stages of the ultimate transportation plan will be
implemented on the Phase 1 campus. During Phase 1, access to
the campus will consist of the north Lake Road/Main Street route
and the existing golf course road. Approximately 25% of the com-
muter parking supply will be located in areas that require travel
through the campus core and housing areas. However, as the
University grows, access to the campus core will be distributed
among the full array of signicant routes, and intercept parking
and campus support will be accessed via peripheral routes.
Bicycle access to campus during Phase 1 will be provided prima-
rily via the existing Lake Road off-street bike path connecting to
Main Street. Bike lanes will be provided along the full length of
Main Street. Secure bicycle parking will be provided adjacent to
the Phase 1 academic buildings and within the student hous