Hood president Ronald Volpe said the outdoor facility will include a turf field, bleachers that will seat between 400 and 500, locker rooms and a pressbox.
The entrance will be located off Magnolia Ave. There will be a plaza at the entrance. The fields will be located where the existing fields are.
...
Meanwhile, the school still plans to build a new indoor facility, which will be located next to the outdoor field. It would replace the outdated Gambrill Gym.
Originally, Volpe hoped that facility would be all brick like the other buildings on campus. But the cost to build such a facility would be between $25 and $30 million, and he realized the school could not raise that much money.
Instead, they plan to build a facility with only a brick facade. Volpe said it would cost between $12 and $15 million.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
FNP Article: Hood to open new outdoor athletic facility next year
Monday, January 12, 2009
Hood College responds to neighbor's concerns about proposed locker facilities
Tim and Tracey,
Thanks for your letter of January 6, 2009. We take the concerns of our neighbors seriously and attempt to mitigate intrusion upon the neighborhood whenever reasonably practicable.
Let me address the two issues you raised:
As to the location of the proposed locker facilities - we are currently redesigning this area in response to a request raised at the Planning Commission Hearing to retain the trees that border the NW entrance gate and the roadway immediately inside the campus. The redesign maintains the majority of the existing stand of trees. Further, it reduces the visual profile of the west end of the locker facilities as seen from Magnolia Avenue.
Our design team is working on the proposed exterior profile, finishes and landscaping to incorporate this structure into the campus environment. We'll be glad to share this with you when the designs are further developed. I'd also like to point out that this corner of the campus poses several challenging design considerations. The available area for placement of this structure is limited due to the location of the enlarged athletic field, a water line easement owned by the City, a setback requirement along Magnolia Avenue, an existing roadway oriented east to west that borders the existing site, existing mechanical equipment and as I previously mentioned the desire to blend this structure with the campus. Given all these constraints, I believe that the proposed design is a good solution for the campus and for the neighbors.
Regarding lighting on the temporary parking lot – I am surprised to hear that you have not seen any changes to the lighting on the temporary lot. When I met you at your home, we noted that there were four fixtures that were generally oriented in such a way as to be seen from your backyard. We reoriented two of these fixtures 180 degrees to face away from your property. A third fixture on the fence separating the two lots was completely removed. The last fixture near the center of the south fence cannot be relocated for safety reasons and is the sole remaining fixture that faces your property.
After receiving your email I walked the site again early this morning while still dark. I noticed two things. First, there is an existing lamp pole that provides security lighting around the Hodson Science Center which can be seen from your property. I would estimate that it is at least 200 feet from your home. This pole was installed as part of the Hodson Science Center Construction several years ago. We’ll look at what may be done in this area as part of the new parking lot construction, but no changes can be made for this lamp pole at this time. Second, I noticed a small amount of glare from the edge of two fixtures that sit at an oblique angle away from your property. I think it may be possible to “shield” these two fixtures without compromising campus safety.
I will be glad to meet with you to show you the changes we made to the temporary parking lot lighting. Again thanks for sharing your concerns with us.
Rick
Neighbor writes to Hood about new locker facilities
Mr. Richard A. KahleyDirector of Facilities Planning and Special ProjectsHood College401 Rosemont AvenueFrederick, MD 21701
Dear Mr. Kahley,
I am writing to request further consideration on the part of the College and its design team that the proposed locker facilities be re-situated on the site to retain the trees along the entry drive off of Magnolia Avenue. Though not the primary entrance to the College, its formal presence is an asset to the neighborhood and implies a sense of deference from the College to its neighbors. As a neighbor and an architect, I believe that the removal of the one row of trees to make way for a utilitarian structure significantly alters the entry in a negative way and implies a lack of consideration. Upon walking the site and viewing City’s Spires GIS Map (with aerial photo), the general area of the building appears to be within a triangulated “dead zone” not part of a standard playing field – an area which appears to be large enough to allow for an adjustment to the building’s location and/or configuration. If this is indeed the case, I would request that the design be reconsidered in the interest of retaining the presence of the existing entry drive. In addition, I would also ask that the design team consider use of brick or some other siding material other than board and batten siding for the portion of the proposed building that abuts Magnolia Avenue. Such a revision would be more complementary to the residential buildings on the street and would be a positive gesture to the neighborhood.
And finally, I would be remiss if I did not express my continued concern regarding the existing and future parking lot lights. We have not noticed any adjustments / improvements to the temporary lighting since meeting with you in November, and would like to inquire as to the status of the changes that we were told to expect. Regarding lighting for the future parking lot, I continue to request that the globe-style lights specified be equipped with reflectors or other devices for minimizing the “light-house” effect and the upward light pollution of that area of campus. Though I realize they are not required per your Site Plan approval, I believe they represent a simple solution to concerns raised by a member of the community and would demonstrate the College’s professed desire to be a good neighbor.
I appreciate the time and effort that you have spent working with the community as a representative of the College and hope that my comments/requests will be received with serious consideration.
Sincerely,
Tim Daniel, AIA
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Concerns with raucous tenants at 505 Magnolia
Friends -
There has been some conversation amongst the neighbors over the last several weeks regarding the tenants occupying the house at 505 Magnolia Avenue. Serious concerns about raucous behavior, partying, underage drinking?, loud noise late at night into the early morning hours, trash buildup around the house, numerous vehicles, parking in the driveway blocking the sidewalk, trash can situated in the front yard, public urination, and the list goes on. The property has taken on a decidedly disheveled appearance. While we are all sensitive to the current real estate market, other rental situations exist amicably in our immediate vicinity without the negative impact we are experiencing from the tenants at this address.
I have contacted our NAC liaison Stephanie Davis for some advice. She confirms that neighbors should not hesitate to call the police non-emergency telephone number to report any problems. That number again is: 301-600-2102. Another possible contact is William Dukes, Division Manager of Code Enforcement for the City of Frederick. His telephone number is 301-600-3825. His email address is wdukes@cityoffrederick.com .
Stephanie also suggested that we contact the mayor and alderman as the city has an ongoing discussion concerning rental licensing, although no official action has been taken at this time. mayor@cityoffrederick.
Kim Madden for Hood Neighbors
405 Magnolia Avenue
Frederick, MD 21701
hood-neighbors@comcast.net
hoodneighbors.blogspot.com
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Notes from the 11/19 NAC Meeting
Kim was able to go to the November 11, 2008 NAC Meeting. Her notes and thoughts follow below. Thanks, Kim!
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I notified the group that Gabrielle Collard at the City of Frederick had requested that Hood College come back to the NAC meeting this month to present proposed changes to their site plan which is already underway. With the short notice, only a few neighbors were able to attend.
General Information --
There were 396 call for service resulting in 14 arrests in NAC 6. Of these 10 were traffic related, one each for assault, vagrancy, theft, and domestic disturbance.
There were 513 calls for service resulting in 11 arrests in NAC 9. Of these 2 were traffic related, 2 for trespassing, 1 assault, 1 fraud, and 1 juvenile-theft.
There have been a rash of break-ins in these areas, and throughout the city during the day time. Access to the properties has been primarily through an unlocked door, or sliding glass door which is not properly secured. The BP Service Station on 7th Street across from Hood College has been burglarized on three separate occasions recently.
Remember the non-emergency number for the police is 301-600-2102. Report anything that seems unusual or out of place.
Alderwoman Donna Kuzemchak has put forward a "Large Vehicle Ordinance". Basically it is designed to remove vehicles over a certain size from parking on residential streets. This also covers trailers, buses etc, the thought being that these are an impediment to traffic flow, visibility and so forth. There is a second aspect which covers "Excess Vehicles", designed to combat residences which have large numbers of vehicles crowding the streets, drives and yards of some neighborhoods. It would prohibit people from parking cars on lawns and other unpaved areas as well. This is still in the draft stage, and will be presented to the Mayor and Board of Alderman at the December 18th meeting for consideration and approval. Questions about this plan may be submitted to Kelly Russell at the City Police.
We are waiting for some follow-up information from Stephanie Ambush the NAC Liaison about our options for traffic calming, signage, parking, etc. These procedures come through the City Traffic Engineer. Stay tuned for updates.
Hood College --
Rick Puller and Rick Kahley from Hood College were in attendance to present the adjusted site plan to the NAC meeting. The College intends to construct two single story buildings, approximately 1,000 square feet each, on the north side (the left side as you go into Hood College through the Thomas Gate from Magnolia Avenue) of the roadway facing the existing athletic fields. The athletic fields are at some future point slated to be converted to artificial turf. The buildings would be arranged perpendicular to Magnolia Avenue. Specific building materials have not been identified. These buildings (home and visitor) would house thirty lockers each, with two rows of benches, showers, toilets, hand sinks. There would be no interior meeting space or room for food concessions. They would be entirely surrounded by a concrete pad, larger on the field side where the team(s) would gather. Security lighting would be needed, but has not been clearly defined yet. Internal fencing for the field would be added, as would "considerable" landscaping/screening to meet the site plan requirement.
The College has asked the City to permit the temporary opening of an existing curb cut on 7th Street for use by all construction traffic. All work vehicles would use this point of entry in the northwest corner, near the hospital. Construction would start sometime this summer after graduation in mid-May, slated for completion by the fall 0f 2009.
The site plan will come up for final review/approval at the December 8th Planning Commission Meeting.
A small artist's rendering of the proposed locker room facilities as seen from Magnolia Avenue, looking toward Coblentz Hall was shown at the meeting. Apparently this drawing was "hot off the press". I do not know if it will be available for further viewing. Please contact Rick Kahley at Hood with questions about this project. Kahley@hood.edu , or 301-696-3545.
My immediate reaction was that this proposal is not unreasonable on its face. Hood College seems to be taking the well-being of the neighborhood into account, most especially as it considers the impact of construction traffic. The structures appear to be low, with relatively minimal streetscape impact. Without more certain details regarding aesthetics, landscaping, and lighting in particular, it is difficult to be entirely comfortable with the project -- but no alarms are going off at this moment.
Thoughts?
Keep those emails flowing to Rick Puller (Safety and Security) at Hood College. He is following up on the information you are sending regarding parking and speeding issues -- Puller@hood.edu, or 301-696-3548.
Additional Information on the New Locker Room Facilities
Ian / Kim,Thanks, Erik, for taking the time to look over the plans and sharing his thoughts with us, and to Ian for passing this on!
Erik just stopped by the City Planning office to take a look at the amended plans. A pair of single-story, 13'x68' structures are shown on the north side of the access drive perpendicular to Magnolia. This drive is the extension of Atlantic at the masonry gate. The locker room buildings will be parallel to the drive between the gate and the existing chiller enclosure/bleachers. There will be a concrete apron around the perimeter and no additional or reduced parking spaces. I don't see any reason to be concerned that this late modification will impact the traffic or parking situation.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Locker Room Facilities Added to Hood Expansion Plans
A bit of a surprise in tonights email. Please see the message from Gabrielle Collard at the City of Frederick regarding the NAC meeting on Wednesday.
Apparently Hood College is going to present a change to their "parking lot plan", which now includes "locker room facilities". I am going to attend the meeting, and will report to the group, but would appreciate anyone else who can possibly make it on such sort notice to come as well.
The meeting will be held in the same room as before, third floor of the Talley Recreation Center at 7pm.
Thanks,
Kim Madden for Hood Neighbors
----- Forwarded Message -----
From: hood-neighbors@comcast.net
To: "Gabrielle Collard"
Sent: Monday, November 17, 2008 9:13:52 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: Re: Hood College Final Site Plan
Ms. Collard-
While I appreciate your effort to keep our group informed, I hardly feel that this is adequate notice for us to fully participate in the process. I am forwarding your email to the Hood Neighbors group, and while I will make every effort to attend the NAC meeting, I question the timing of Hood's decision to change the scope of their plans.
Kim Madden for Hood Neighbors
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gabrielle Collard"
To: hood-neighbors@comcast.net
Sent: Monday, November 17, 2008 1:20:24 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: Hood College Final Site Plan
Ms. Madden
I just wanted to let you know that I have requested that Hood College revisit the NAC at the upcoming meeting this Wednesday evening- the 19th. They have decided that while they have a pending site plan application, they would like to expand the scope of the plan to include the installation of new locker room facilities on the athletic fields located off of Magnolia.
Due to the change in the site plan, I felt it appropriate to provide an update to the NAC so that any interested resident is aware of all of the proposed changes. Please let me know if you have any additional questions/concerns.
Thanks
Gabrielle
