boston university 610 commonwealth avenue
TRANSCRIPT
Institutional Master Plan Notification FormFor First Amendment to the Boston University Charles River
submitted by: Trustees of Boston University
submitted to: Boston Redevelopment Authority
prepared by: Fort Point Associates, Inc.
July 29, 2013
Boston University610 Commonwealth Avenue
Campus 2013 - 2023 Institutional Master Plan
BOSTON UNIVERSITY 610 COMMONWEALTH AVENUE
INSTITUTIONAL MASTER PLAN NOTIFICATION FORM FOR FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE BOSTON UNIVERSITY CHARLES RIVER CAMPUS
2013 – 2023 INSTITUTIONAL MASTER PLAN TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 INSTITUTIONAL MASTER PLAN PROGRESS 1.2 THE NEED FOR AN IMP AMENDMENT
SECTION 2 BOSTON UNIVERSITY MISSION AND GOALS SECTION 3 PROGRESS ON THE 2013-2023 IMP
3.1 ENROLLMENT 3.2 STUDENT HOUSING
SECTION 4 PROPOSED INSTITUTIONAL PROJECT 4.1 CENTER FOR INTEGRATED LIFE SCIENCES AND ENGINEERING
SECTION 1
INTRODUCTION
Introduction1-1
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Boston University (the “University”) was the first university in the City of Boston to prepare an Institutional Master Plan. The first Master Plan was approved in 1986, followed by the second in 1997, third in 2003, and the most recent in 2013. In September of 2011, the University began preparation of the 2013 – 2023 Charles River Campus Institutional Master Plan (the "2013-2023 IMP"). From the fall of 2011 to the fall of 2012, the University undertook a comprehensive planning initiative to define the University’s needs and establish institutional goals for the coming decade and beyond. The 2013-2023 IMP was a product of these strategic planning efforts and responds to the call to strengthen scholarship and research throughout the campus, expand and enhance the College of Arts & Sciences, and improve the residential campus and student life experience. With the support of the Boston University Community Task Force, the 2013-2023 IMP was approved by the Boston Redevelopment Authority (“BRA”) in January 2013 and by the Boston Zoning Commission in February 2013.
The Master Plan development objectives of the University for the 2013-2023 IMP include the completion of seven building projects, involving academic, residential, and research facilities. The purpose of this document is to amend the existing 2013-2023 IMP to include a new building project, the Center for Integrated Life Sciences and Engineering at 610 Commonwealth Avenue. Further details can be found in Section 4.0, Proposed Institutional Project.
1.1 INSTITUTIONAL MASTER PLAN PROGRESS
As the 2013-2023 IMP was approved only six months ago, most of the planned projects have not yet been commenced. However, the Boston University School of Law Building is under construction with the foundation work complete and steel structure being erected. Projects approved in prior IMPs are underway or completed, including the new East Campus Student Services Center, which opened in August 2012, the new Admissions Reception Center, which is now under construction with an anticipated completion date of early 2014, and the New Balance Field at Boston University at 278 Babcock Street, which will be completed in August 2013. Since the 2013-2023 IMP was approved the University has purchased 910 Commonwealth Avenue in Brookline, which was originally listed as a potential development site in the 2013-2023 IMP.
1.2 THE NEED FOR AN IMP AMENDMENT
The Boston University 2013-2023 IMP lists a total of seven building projects in the City of Boston that the University plans to construct over the next decade (see
Boston University Institutional Master Plan Notification Form
Introduction 1-2
Sections 5.2 and 5.3 of the 2013-2023 IMP). In the intervening months since the approval of the 2013-2023 IMP, the University has determined that it has a unique opportunity to advance the University's program in the life sciences through the construction of a new laboratory and research building. After considering a number of potential building sites, the University selected 610 Commonwealth Avenue as the preferred location for the Center for Integrated Life Sciences and Engineering. This site is located adjacent to the University's science and engineering campus, allowing for a full interdisciplinary integration with research activities in other science and engineering programs. At this time, no other changes to the approved Institutional Master Plan are proposed.
SECTION 2
BOSTON UNIVERSITY MISSION AND GOALS
Boston University Mission and Goals 2-1
2.0 BOSTON UNIVERSITY MISSION AND GOALS
Boston University is an international, comprehensive, private research university, committed to educating students to be reflective, resourceful individuals ready to live, adapt, and lead in the interconnected world. Boston University is committed to generating new knowledge to benefit society.
The University remains dedicated to its founding principles: that higher education should be accessible to all and that research, scholarship, artistic creation, and professional practice should be conducted in the service of the wider community – local and international. These principles endure in Boston University’s insistence on the value of diversity, in its tradition and standards of excellence, and in its dynamic engagement with the City of Boston and the world.
Boston University comprises a remarkable range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs built on a strong foundation of the liberal arts and sciences. With the support and oversight of the Board of Trustees, Boston University, through its faculty, continually innovates in education and research to ensure that it meets the needs of students and an ever-changing world.
In 2007, Boston University completed the “Boston University Strategic Plan – Choosing to be Great”. The plan includes eight concrete goals in support of Boston University’s mission, with each goal being the product of extensive discussions undertaken as a community involving its students, faculty, alumni and friends.
Boston University’s goals include:
1. To support and enhance a world-class faculty whose members are dedicated to teaching and engaged in research, scholarship, and their professions.
2. To continue to develop the special undergraduate educational environment that combines its commitment to a liberal arts and sciences education with professional opportunities, while creating flexible educational opportunities to leverage the depth of the College of Arts and Sciences and our other schools and colleges. To continue its commitment to inclusiveness based on merit for all students, irrespective of race, religion, or economic status, and to raise the financial aid needed to do this.
3. To expand and enhance the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) as the core of Boston University and its undergraduate programs. Boston University is committed to increasing the number of CAS faculty members and expanding and renewing the College’s facilities.
Boston University Institutional Master Plan Notification Form
Boston University Mission and Goals 2-2
4. To enhance the residential campus and student life experience for its undergraduate students in the special urban environment of Boston.
5. To strengthen scholarship and research throughout Boston University by support of key disciplinary graduate programs.
6. To enhance its nationally recognized professional schools and colleges, including Medicine, Management, Law, and Fine Arts. Boston University’s commitments to Medicine, Law, and Management are key to its prominence as a major urban research university. The College of Fine Arts offers a special opportunity for projecting Boston University on campus, in the city, and around the world.
7. To increase its emphasis on interdisciplinary research and graduate education in order to expand its leadership in important fields and the collaborative atmosphere across our campuses.
8. To continue to foster the engagement of Boston University in the city and the world, through public service and by extending the reach of its educational programs, including both study-abroad opportunities for Boston-based students and the creation of new opportunities for students from around the world to experience a Boston University education.
SECTION 3
PROGRESS ON THE 2013 – 2023 IMP
Progress on the 2013-2023 IMP 3-1
3.0 PROGRESS ON THE 2013-2023 IMP
3.1 ENROLLMENT
Since the 2003 IMP and 2010 Amendment/Renewal, there has been a small increase in full-time undergraduate enrollment at the Charles River Campus from 15,064 students in 2002 to 15,419 students in 2012 (see Table 3-1, Full-Time Undergraduate Students). Due to Boston University’s growing prestige and international reputation, the number of interested applicants has increased substantially.
Between the fall of 2013 and fall of 2017, full-time undergraduate enrollment is expected to be relatively static, as shown in Table 3-2, Projected Full-Time Undergraduate Enrollment. Boston University will continue its policy of selectivity throughout the term of this master plan. Consequently, the composition of the enrolled student body will change over time with an increased proportion of continuing and transfer students and a decreased share of incoming freshmen.
Table 3-1, Full-Time Undergraduate Students
Full-Time Undergraduate Students Fall 2010
Actual Fall 2011
Actual Fall 2012
Actual Freshman Class 4,409 4,022 3,877 Continuing and Transfer Students 11,164 11,518 11,542 Total Full-Time Undergraduates 15,573 15,540 15,419 Full-Time Undergraduates Forecast* 15,376 15,311 15,331 # of Students Above (Below) Forecast 197 229 88 % Above (Below) Forecast 1% 1% 1% * Forecast from 2010 IMP Amendment/Renewal
Table 3-2, Projected Full-Time Undergraduate Enrollment
Fall Enrollment Freshman Class Size 2013 15,674 3,800
2014 15,575 3,800
2015 15,577 3,800
2016 15,488 3,800 2017 15,488 3,800
*Forecast data as of April 2012
Boston University Institutional Master Plan Notification Form
Progress on the 2013-2023 IMP 3-2
3.2 STUDENT HOUSING
In response to concerns of the City and the surrounding neighborhoods, Boston University has been and remains committed to increasing the amount of on-campus housing available to and occupied by undergraduate students. Boston University was challenged to create housing that would be attractive to upperclassmen who are most likely to reside off campus. Boston University has made great strides in increasing the availability and variety of on-campus housing options. With the construction of two new residential buildings at 10 Buick Street and 33 Harry Agganis Way and a number of other housing and dining improvement projects, including historically sensitive renovation of Bay State undergraduate residences, Boston University has increased the number of students housed on campus from 67% in 1994 to 76% in 2012. See Table 3-3, Students Housed On Campus. Boston University will continue to work toward increasing on-campus housing opportunities.
Table 3-3, Students Housed On Campus
Year (Fall) Enrollment*
Undergraduate Occupancy
Students Needing Housing
Percent Housed
Freshman Class Size
2002 15,064 10,978 14,308 77% 4,560 2003 14,976 10,650 14,059 76% 3,961 2004 15,186 10,746 14,397 75% 4,352 2005 15,690 10,860 14,774 74% 4,209 2006 15,681 10,879 14,678 74% 4,124 2007 15,771 10,675 14,723 73% 4,163 2008 15,540 10,629 14,486 73% 4,131 2009 15,386 10,825 14,288 76% 4,130 2010 15,573 11,128 14,635 76% 4,409 2011 15,540 11,109 14,465 77% 4,022 2012 15,419 10,986 14,486 76% 3,877 *Student enrollment data is reported as of the University’s official mid-semester enrollment census date, and is consistent with Federal and City requirements.
SECTION 4
PROPOSED INSTITUTIONAL PROJECT
Proposed Institutional Project 4-1
4.0 PROPOSED INSTITUTIONAL PROJECT
4.1 CENTER FOR INTEGRATED LIFE SCIENCES & ENGINEERING BUILDING
The 2003 IMP documented the University’s desire to keep pace with the burgeoning bioengineering industry, which was projected to triple in size over the early part of the 21st century. In response, the University constructed a new Life Science and Engineering building at 24 Cummington Mall that opened in 2005. The 188,500 square foot building provides laboratory and research space for the University’s expanding programs. The University’s programs in life sciences and engineering have continued to thrive, which has led to the need for additional research and laboratory space.
This Institutional Master Plan Notification Form for a First Amendment to the 2013 – 2023 IMP, proposes a new Center for Integrated Life Sciences and Engineering (the “Proposed Institutional Project”) at 610 Commonwealth Avenue will provide additional interdisciplinary research space for faculty and students in neuroscience and systems/synthetic biology. See Figure 4-1, Proposed Institutional Project, which identifies the location of the proposed building. The Proposed Institutional Project will be located on the site of an existing surface parking lot that will directly abut the existing Morse Auditorium to the east, existing biology research laboratories to the south, and University open space to the west associated with the College of Communications located at 640 Commonwealth Avenue.
The Proposed Institutional Project an up to 149,500 gross square foot (“gsf”) building with seven occupiable floors above grade plus a basement and a mechanical penthouse. Including the mechanical penthouse, the building envelope will reach a maximum height of 140 feet. While the Proposed Institutional Project is taller than the directly adjacent Morse Auditorium (74’) and the University’s College of Communications (50’), the building is of modest height in comparison to other buildings along Commonwealth Avenue and the science and engineering campus. The School of Management at 595 Commonwealth Avenue (166') and Warren Towers at 700 Commonwealth Avenue (196') are significantly higher. The University’s nearby Department of Biomedical Engineering located at 44 Cummington Mall reaches a height of 121 feet, while the University’s Life Science and Engineering Building located at 24 Cummington Mall reaches a height of 167 feet.
The University’s intent is to respect the historical integrity of 600 Commonwealth Avenue (Morse Auditorium) and enable future, improved access to the auditorium in a way that may also enhance the functionality of 600 Commonwealth Avenue as a meeting space. The seven floors above grade will include an array of space for research and collaboration. The mechanical penthouse above the seventh floor will
Boston University Institutional Master Plan Notification Form
Proposed Institutional Project 4-2
be used to house the machinery necessary to support the new research space. The average floor-to-floor height will be around 15 feet, excluding the mechanical penthouse, which will have an estimated height of 30 feet.
Location: 610 Commonwealth Avenue
Site Size: +/- 23,000 square feet
Existing Use: Surface parking lot
Proposed Use: University use, including academic, research, office and administrative uses
Proposed Maximum Height: 140 feet
Proposed Maximum Building Area: 149,500 gross square feet
Proposed Maximum FAR: 5.1
Current Zoning: H-4
610 Commonwealth AvenueBoston, MA
Trustees of Boston University IMP Notification Form
ESSE
X
MASON STREET
ROAD
EUSTON
STR
EET
LENOX STREET
STR
EET
MOUNTFORT
BOSTONBROOKLINE
UN
IVER
SIT
Y R
OA
D
SOLDIERS FIELD ROAD
BO
STON
UN
IVER
SITY
BR
IDG
E
MU
DD
Y
BOYL
STO
N
ST. M
AR
Y'S
CA
RLT
ON
MEDFIELD
MO
NM
OU
TH CO
URT
MONMOUTH
STREET
METR
OPOLITAN TR
ANSIT A
UTHORITY A
ND ALB
ANY RAILROAD
BOSTO
N
BROO
KLINE
MUDDY RIV
ER
STREET
BUSWELL
ST. MARY'S COURT
STREET
STREET
STREET
STREET
KESWICK STREET
ST. MARY'S
PARK DRIVE
CIRCLE
AUDUBON
DRIVE
ABERDEEN
STREET
BOYLSTON
BRO
OKL
INE
STREET
PETERBOROUGH
STREET
KILMARN
OCK
FULLERTON
STREET STRE
ET
MIN
ER STREET
VAN NESS WAY
YAWKEY
QUEENSBERRY
PARK
STREET
MUDDY RIVER
BOYLSTON
STREET
DR
IVE
IPSWICH
STREET
STREET
BACK
BAY
FEN
S
BAY
FEN
WA
Y
BAY STATE
WA
Y
CU
MM
ING
TON
STR
EET
MASSACHUSETTS
STREET
STR
EET
STREET
BO
STO
NB
RO
OK
LINE
MOUNTFORT
STREET
PARK ARUN
DEL STREET
NEW YORK CENTRAL RAILROAD
TURNPIKE
CUMMINGTON
BABBITT STREET
GR
AN
BY
STR
EET
COMMONWEALTH
HIN
SDA
LE
AVEN
UE
BLA
ND
FOR
D S
TREE
T
BEACON STREET
MAITLAN
D STREET
STREET
STREET
BRO
OKL
INE
SILB
ER
AVENUE
BAY STATE ROAD
KENMORESQUARE
DEERFIELD
STREET
STORROW DRIVE BACK STREET
STORROW
DRIVE
CH
AR
LESGA
TE
RIVERROAD
BOSTON
IPSWICH STREET
IPSW
ICH
STRE
ET
NEWBURY
STRE
ET
BA
CK
CHARLESGATE EAST
KEN
MO
RE
STREET STREET
COMMONWEALTH AVENUE
STREET
COMMONWEALTH AVENUE
BEACON
WEST
TURNPIKE EXTENSION
EAST
CH
AR
LESGA
TE
(EASTBOUND)
(WESTBOUND)
MASS AVE
BACK
RA
LEIGH
STREET
MU
DD
Y
MARLBOROUGH
STREET
STREET
MBTA BUS
TERMINAL
BA
BC
OC
KST
REE
T
AVENUE
BU
ICK
STR
EET
MASSACHUSETTS TURNPIKE
HA
RR
Y A
GG
AN
IS W
AY
CHARLES RIVER
BEACON
PR
ESC
OT
T
GIBBSSTREET
CO
OLI
DG
E ST
REE
T
MANCHESTER
NA
PLES
STREET
ROAD
BROWNE STREET
STREET
STIL
L ST
REE
T
ROAD
ROA
D
ST. PAU
L
FREEMAN
THATCHER
ST. P
AU
L
STREET
AMO
RY
STREET
POW
ELL
STREET FREEMAN STREET EXTENSION
AM
OR
Y
EWE STREET
STREET
CO
TTA
GE
CHURCHILL STREET
CH
ILTO
N
IVY
WIN
SLO
W R
OA
D
HAMILT
ON ROAD
BRO
OKL
INE
BOST
ON
ABBOTTSFORD
FULLER
OSBORNE ROAD
RO
AD
GARDNER
COM
MO
NWEA
LTH
MA
LVER
N
AVENUE
ALC
OR
N
STREET
ASHFORD
STR
EET
STR
EET
STREET
PLEA
SAN
T
BABC
OC
K STREET
CRO
WN
INSH
IELD
COPLEY STREET
ELBA STREET
ADAMS STREET
STREET
EGMONT
DUMMER
STR
EET
COMMONWEALTH
BOSTONBROOKLINE
CA
RLTON
STREET BRID
GE
STREET
FAR
M
WORTHINGTON
STR
EET
RO
AD
STREET
SQUAREWINTHROP
TOWNOF
BROOKLINE
PLAYGROUND
1110
1080
11001090
1070
24
70
64
68
74
HALL'SPOND
18
12
98
35
40
1110
11201124
1114
1118
1116
222
230
1079
1104
1108
1106
1089
1035
1037
1047
10501090
1082
1086
1066 1056
10651075 1055
1040
1034
1030
1032
240
1022
1024
1028
1016
1018
1020
1039
1045
1027
1033
270
76
217
35
29
38
227
23121
26
3910
35
2721 9 5
222
15
2428 1620
2529 19
12
226
9
115
957
963
961
971
969
975
989
1001
997
1005
241
1010 996 966972 950
936
930 910 900
163
49 39
30
23
58
122
16
9
880
872
874
179
860
870
845
835
499
7476
TEMPLE
18
132
1015
1017
1019
18
1057
1073
10751071
47 49
5553
917
1311
12
1614
1037
3739
10411043
105710551059
10611067
1069
1063
1065
45
4143
1053
1060
1056
1039
59
737169
61
7775
1021
1031
10331035
10291027
1023
1025
74
8078
82
76
24
143
32
101
34
134 22
262830
24
20
920999
10210021517
1026
102871
104810501052
1054
67
1036104410421046
1030
1032
75
232529 27
1024A
1001
1003
100510091011
1013
1007
1008A1008
1014101810161020
1020A10221022A
1024
21
10121010
1004
1006
8995
100 96
111
111101 93
924922100
87
17
464
12
466
923921
126
128
130
124
57
1611
15
17 1614
129
10
14
919
915917
909
68
903
907905
468901
899
458
447
455
460462
457
463
459461
25
45127
19
2321
900
912914918916
910
906908
42
344038 500
504
49
896
867869
879
465
873871875877
12
15
911 14
20
7810
866868872
874
870
864
847849
857
851855853
70
1311
1313
1315
136157
1373184-176
1395
196
1399
200
194
192-186
SEARS AND ROEBUCK 1371
159161
163
138
MARTIN MILMORE
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL1358
105
1360
84 - 100
85
8082
78
7476
S.D.A.72
1325
1341 - 1355
136916
PARKING AREA
1316
1320-1324
1302-1310
1312
72
PARKING AREAPARKING AREA
28
149
155
130132
141145
133
25
7843
90
124
1295
PARKING AREA
1309
13031305 1301
1299
1279
19
1290
51
26
4036
107111
105
108
35112
32
3731
29
65
20
24
25
16
61
55
50
86
46
3640
42
39
82
45 41
7835
31
21
15
19
11
41
35
3129
2725
1261
1256
126412701268
1266
1274
12841286
1282
1280
1272
1271
126012581262
1265
11
15
115
1
12541252
1250
1245
2
20
125112551253
203
FIR
E A
LAR
M H
EAD
QU
AR
TER
S
76
595-603
113
115
117
111
131
135
137
143
145
147
133
11912
1
125
201
838
744
16
121 36 24 1822
131
141
3325 19 1521
138
50
812 24
3735
711
49
35
4543 47
120150 3941 37
15
22
3
2127
3331
29
512
506
24
503
22
515
518
519 100
13
17
509
15
7911
5
96
856858
18
844848
854852
850
842840
6
11A
2 46
86110
112
100 96 7880 7072
111
6064 48
766 750 742
736
738 730
726
728
722
765
745
771
755
763
767
735
685725
710
714
712
718 704
708
700
665
236
264270
232
675
226
214
212
204
202
208
206
210
225233
216
211213
203
209
207
205
640
834832
833829
836
821
806
826830828
820824822
3044 38 28 20
5
2
3
716
693
677665
24
617
619
621
623
627
629
625
635
602
170
168
166
174
172
182
192
194
196
198
200
186
184
188
190
178
176
180
183
195
193
199
197 18
518
718
919
1
179
177
175
181
169
167
165
173
171
152
160
158
156
154
164
162
155
157
161
159
163 15
3
140
139
141
533
560
595 575
645 20
548
540
539
541
537535
565
120
126
124
128
122
129
127
110
116
114
118
112
10
1911
96 88 869294 90 78808284
619
58
99
53-57
97
91 77798183
397
401
395
391
587467
468
530532
536
496 486
470476480478
482484
472474
638636
650
660
654656
648
58
6670 687274
606264 56 632
52
481479483
485
477
495
497
487
491
493
30
475
471469
591589
466 464
461
465463
585583
416390
409
403407405
502501
435
41
59
71 69
75 73 616367 65
532
454347
313735
3339
252927
152119
1723
91113
513511
7
447445449
456455
442440
452450448454
446444
393
451453
523527
535
531
525
441439
437443
515517519521
520
503505509507
512
518
504506608
436438
385383387
389
434432
427429431
433497
499
493491
664
50
500
275
273
32
277
32
285
159
6
590
592
594 586
706
702
698700584 566580
645
25
10
925 915
12
33
928
FENWAY PARK
8
890 888
100
30
29
35
1921
20
45
63
72
34
44
AMORY
1120
1124
1126
11361134
1087
1089
1091/1093
107910851083
1081
291
295
299
68
785
9082
83
845
44
90
485052
39
45
55
47
4143
2
347
775
1
10641077
926
860862
53
25
300
316
120100
278
284
881 871 855949
1019
1023
983
985
940
920
922
916
918
10
24
834846 808
37
143
25
132
10
135
1
287
Student Village Residence III
School of Law
Academic Building
Academic Building Addition
Science and Engineering Research Building
Academic / Administration
Building
Myles Standish Residence Hall Renovation
Center for Integrated Life Sciences and Engineering
AABB
CC
DDEE
FFGG
HH
N
2013 IMP Amendment Notification Form
0
100’ 600’
200’
July 29, 2013
Figure 4-1, Proposed Institutional Projects
Boston University Charles River Campus
Map Legend
610 Commonwealth Avenue
Proposed Institutional Projects
Boston University Properties
Figure 4-1Proposed Institutional Projects
Source: Fort Point Associates, Inc., 2013