FCC Facilities Master Plan May 2023 - Compressed (1)

Frederick Community College Facilities Master Plan Chapter 6 Proposed Campus Development 6-F-3 May, 2023 implementation. This will require a multi-year effort which should be coordinated with other recommendations in this Facilities Master Plan and with continued development of the College’s facilities. A master landscape planning study is recommended to establish the scope, nature of suggested improvements, cost, and schedule for implementing the work. The proposed Campus Development Plan introduces new vehicular and pedestrian circulation elements along axes that already exist in part but are functionally different, and new paths for people and vehicles, planned to better serve existing and proposed building and site projects. Currently, the campus roads, surface parking lots, and most pedestrian ways employ asphalt paving surfaces, while ramps, curbs and some sidewalks are concrete. While other alternatives exist, such as concrete roadways and pedestrian ways or unit pavers for some sidewalks or terraces, it is anticipated that the current palette of paving materials will be continued. Site furnishings including seating, tables, and waste receptacles are currently a variety of styles, materials, and sizes. For example, no less than eight types of outdoor seating can be found throughout the campus. While there is justification for both fixed and movable seating, the opportunity for some unity of design (which may reflect preferences of the College relative to the rest of its built environment) will improve the user experience, such as intuitively knowing what a FCC trash receptacle looks like. Like many of us tend to do, students will re-arrange seating to suit their needs in gathering spaces, inside and out. So let’s accommodate them and provide chairs and possibly tables that they can move, encouraging group interaction and collaboration in the process. This can be addressed in the master landscape planning study suggested earlier in this section, selecting the furnishings, settings and arrangements. Exterior ramps and stairs already are equipped with railing systems. The College may wish to establish a campus standard for railings and bike racks, too, in addition to furnishings. FCC has already adopted some site lighting standards including exterior wall sconce, walkway and roadway lights. The suggested planning study should coordinate with those standards, possibly also making lighting recommendations for parking lots and gathering spaces.

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTc2ODM1