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With no room left to expand on the University of Montana's main campus, administrators are beginning a community process to talk about future needs and development of the open space south of campus at the base of Mount Sentinel near Pattee Canyon.

The area is currently home to UM's golf course, soccer fields, running track and campus family housing.

To date, there is no such master plan for the “South Campus” area, and according to accreditation requirements, a plan is mandatory, said Rosemary Keller, associate vice president for administration and finance.

On Monday, a planning committee of UM administrators, students, city officials and neighborhood council members will begin the public process of developing a master plan.

Like other public meetings, an agenda will be followed and public comment will be invited at the end of the meetings - around 4:40 p.m. - before they come to a close, said Keller, who will serve as chair of the meetings.

A history lesson, so to speak, on how the land was acquired, when it was acquired, and mandates on how some of the land can and cannot be used will be discussed at the first meeting.

All of the significant “stakeholders” - the groups that use the property the most, including community golf leagues and the UM hang gliding club, have been invited.

“We are trying hard to include anyone who is interested in this project to attend these meetings and be a part of the process,” Keller said.

“This is the beginning,” she said. “We are just in the beginning stages of putting one together. We have no plan. We are starting this from scratch.”

If all goes smoothly, the planning committee hopes to have a plan in place by June 25, Keller said.

“But there really isn't a timetable - that's just a target,” she said. “We will let the process unfold, and it will take the time it will take.

“We could go beyond that target date, or it could be wrapped up sooner.”

Reporter Betsy Cohen can be reached at 523-5253 or at bcohen@missoulian.com

 

Join the planning process

The University of Montana will hold a series of community meetings on the development of the South Campus master plan. The first meeting is scheduled from 3-5 p.m. Monday at the Lewis and Clark Community Center.

The group will also meet on the following Mondays: Jan. 22; Feb. 5 and 19; March 5 and 19; April 2, 16 and 30; May 14 and 28; and June 11 and 25.

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