UMass Boston Developments | Columbia Point | Dorchester

Who's bright idea was it to outsource it?????

[ . . . ]
The dorm was built, and is operated, by a private, for-profit company that leases land from UMass. Students make their housing payments directly to the company, Capstone Development, which will own the building for 40 years. After that, ownership will revert to UMass.

Capstone Development spent $119.4 million building the dorm, while UMass Boston contributed $18 million for staff, the dining hall, and other services, according to a university spokesman.

A Capstone spokeswoman, Nicole Ivanovich, said the company has been working with its contractor and subcontractors to respond quickly to “residual construction-related issues.”

“Most have been able to be repaired or resolved in short order. A few issues required the ordering of materials or parts [and] have taken a bit longer,” Ivanovich said in a statement. She said the number of issues has been “relatively modest — particularly given the size and complexity of this community.”

“We regret any inconvenience to student residents in addressing these items. We will continue to provide prompt and professional attention to any construction related repairs that are needed,” the Capstone statement said.

Sodexo declined to comment.
[ . . . ]


By the time this building becomes owned by the Commonwealth it may have caved in already. "Let the private sector do it" they say. "The private sector is always better they say...." Well voila!

My understanding is that UMB has maximized it's debt, and could not afford to build these without going the PPP route (private/public/partnership). That was from the horses mouth.

So it was either wait to pay down existing debt, and not have on campus living. Or, go private.

It then is not the cash cow that dorms normally are for universities, but they don't have additional debt they can't afford.

However, I agree, that when these are handed over in 40 years, there will be a major cost to upgrade or maintain them, and won't be cash cows then either.
 
RFI responses for the Calf Pasture site as reported on the dotnews website


p1 calf pasture pump option 2 REP 39-20 copy by Bos Beeline, on Flickr

p13 Calf Pasture aerial map REP 39-20 copy by Bos Beeline, on Flickr
 
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New Balance commits $10 million to UMass Boston for sports institute​

By Staff
December 27, 2023
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“The University of Massachusetts Boston has received a $10 million commitment from Boston-based New Balance Athletics, Inc. to establish the New Balance Institute for Innovative Leadership in Sport on the Columbia Point campus. The gift will provide operational funds to launch the institute and endow it in perpetuity.
The commitment and the institute build on the New Balance Sport Leadership program founded at UMass Boston with a $5 million gift in 2018.

“This is a brilliant partnership,” said UMass Boston Chancellor Marcelo Suárez-Orozco. “UMass Boston is the natural academic home for the New Balance program and this new institute. Innovative and interdisciplinary, the program prepares students for exemplary careers in sports management while offering a robust social justice platform to advance excellence, equity, diversity, and human rights in sports. This aligns with our foundational idea that a UMass Boston education is designed to have impact and serve the greater good.”

Since the program opened in fall 2019, it has grown to 127 students majoring in sport leadership and administration, with another 34 students having already graduated. Students in the program have participated in a combined 10,000 hours of internships in the sport industry.

“We are excited to expand our investment in UMass Boston through this institute, which reflects New Balance’s focus on advancing opportunities for transformational leadership, innovation, and diversity in our industry,” said Jim Davis, New Balance Chairman. “Chancellor Suárez-Orozco and Dr. Joe Cooper have done a tremendous job to establish the Sport Leadership & Administration program. We look forward to seeing how this institute will enable the power of sport to positively impact our communities and create change-making sports leaders for the future.”

https://www.dotnews.com/2023/new-balance-commits-10-million-umass-boston-sports-institute
 
Really great density buildup to the campus over 20 years.
 
Apropos of nothing, but why did we locate the Massachusetts Archives on one of the most flood-prone locations in the Commonwealth?

I understand the desire to have them at a state college and close to Boston, but there are other options... Salem State, Mount Ida, Framingham State...
 
Apropos of nothing, but why did we locate the Massachusetts Archives on one of the most flood-prone locations in the Commonwealth?

I understand the desire to have them at a state college and close to Boston, but there are other options... Salem State, Mount Ida, Framingham State...
Is it flood-prone? Some of the area around it is for sure, but a the archives and the UMass campus are all up on a hill. I don't see that spot on current flood maps. Projections for 2070 flooding show the Harbor Point neighborhood flooded, but the archives are safe.


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(also, describing this spot as "close to Boston" is kinda funny)
 

UMASS BOSTON NURSING AND HEALTH SCIENCES STUDY​


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“The programming and conceptual design study for the University of Massachusetts Boston (UMB) Manning College of Nursing and Health Sciences was prepared for the University of Massachusetts Building Authority (UMBA) and the University of Massachusetts Boston (UMB). The goal of the study is to determine program requirements, evaluate alternative concepts, and recommend a concept design solution that meets the current and future needs for UMB. The study offers a concept design solution and phasing strategy that addresses the existing programmatic deficits and supports future growth for both UMB and the Manning College of Nursing & Health Sciences (MCNHS). It includes space programming, evaluation of alternative sites and concept options, master plan coordination, concept design for the selected site, and an estimate of construction costs.

The 252,000 gsf of program space is accommodated in the renovation of the existing Service and Supply/Quinn buildings and a new addition in the location of an existing parking lot. The program includes teaching labs, classrooms, offices, and student support spaces to support the growth of the College, and University program including classrooms, student study/ lounge, University admissions and student health services. The University Police Station is located within the existing Service and Supply building and will remain in its current location as part of this project.

The recommended “Beacon” concept at Site A creates a new welcoming campus entrance at University Drive and a new campus circulation spine to connect to the campus plaza and quad. The massing and concept design highlights the campus entrance with a tower at the street edge, visible from both campus entry points. A series of openings at the entrance create an atrium that visually connects the addition and circulation levels. The façade functions as a screen, offering varied daylighting opportunities between program spaces and the building glows at night. The design incorporates natural materials such as copper and wood, harmonizing with the existing campus material palette.”


UMass Boston Files Plans For Nursing Building, Lays Out Its Hopes For Additional Developments​


“UMass Boston’s updated master plan includes five construction projects, including a 5-story, 285,500-square-foot building to house its popular nursing school, which currently has classes and facilities in scattered locations across the campus in Dorchester.

Details about the new development facility — dubbed the Beacon— were made public in documents published last week by MEPA, the state’s environmental permitting agency.

A spokesperson for UMass Boston confirmed the plan in a statement to The Reporter: “The University of Massachusetts Boston is committed to continuing to build on its nation-leading nursing program to help train the next generation of skilled nurses and meet the escalating needs for health care professionals in our city and state.

“UMass Boston is in the early stages of those plans and is working collaboratively with city, state, and federal stakeholders as we further develop options for expansion.”

The cost of the building was not disclosed in the filing, but the location will be across the street from the new West Parking Garage in what is now an empty space and a loading dock area. The project will also include renovations to the adjacent Quinn administrative building and additional construction.

“The proposed project addresses the Nursing and Health Science space deficit by leveraging existing facilities through renovation and efficient use of existing space in combination with new construction,” the filing noted. “Renovation of both Quinn and the Service and Supply Building to meet programmatic needs leverage the existing assets and align with the university’s sustainability goal of carbon reduction.”

The building would come to life in two phases, and while it doesn’t have a timeline it does have a funding source through the state budget. Phase one would focus on code upgrades and renovation and expansion of the Exercise & Health Science and Student Services. Phase 2 would introduce an addition to the renovated buildings on its northern and western sides. The new construction would address space shortages and “projected growth for both the [nursing program] and the University.” It would also create space for Admissions offices, and study/lounge space……”


“Other projects included in the updated master plan, which is under review by MEPA, include:

•ISC Addition – a 5-story, 30,0000-square-foot addition to the southwest end of the south wing of the ISG building. The addition would house classrooms, class labs, open labs, research labs, and student space/workspace.

•Campus Support – a one-story, approximately 10,000 square-foot building located on vacant land between the West Garage and the Peninsula Apartments.

•Central Plan Extension – A building located southwest of the Healey Library near the Central Plant to house the proposed seawater heat pump system. Cooling towers would also be added to supplement the cooling system during peak summer season.

•Clark Athletic Center – a two-story addition on the north end of the east wing of the Center in the area now known as the temporary Quad Parking Lot. The ground floor of the building would be an entrance and public space, and the second floor would house coaching and recruiting offices.

•The updated plan also calls for infill construction at Wheatley Hall and Healey Library, as well as an 8,000-suqare-foot greenhouse at McCormack Hall.”



-I tried to find the new masterplan on the supposed MEPA website mentioned above and couldnt find anything.
 
My first thought upon seeing the rendering is that it was too AI driven. Pleased this is just a concept image.
 

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