'Good, honest connections are our goal'
GREENCASTLE -- DePauw University president Brian Casey emphasized community and campus bonding as part of the university's strategic plan as he addressed students and members of the community at City Hall Wednesday night.
"Good, honest connections are our goal in creating an intentional partnership," he said.
While there was no long-term plan for the campus when he arrived as president of the university, Casey said he hopes that within the next 20 to 40 years DePauw and Greencastle can bridge the gap between campus and the community.
"If we're working well, we're working well with this city," he said.
Greencastle Mayor Sue Murray echoed Casey in introducing his presentation.
"The greatest thing is to work together to find partnerships," she said.
Casey focused the discussion toward the five goals of the plan, among which include a restored academic precinct, lively precinct of connection and activity, strong student neighborhoods, a clear arrival to the Admissions Building and creating better connections to Greencastle and the Nature Park.
Putting up more signs leading to and from campus, planting more trees to give it a more historic feel and constructing a formal entrance on Anderson Street leading from the east off U.S. 231 -- which would involve changing it from a one-way street to a two-way street -- and better connecting campus to the Nature Park are all part of the proposed effort.
The university is working with Ayres Saint Gross architecture firm based out of Baltimore, and after observing DePauw's campus, developed a list of recommendations to enhance the campus community partnership in the coming years.
Casey said the projects would require new funds from the university, although he did not have an estimate as to how much they would cost.
"More money than we have," he said.
Casey said the development firm was surprised that cars are allowed to dominate pedestrians in the middle of campus, which has had a rebound effect of destroying natural paths that people walk.
"Great colleges have campuses where people bump into each other," he said.
One resident proposed taking the bookstore off campus and moving it to the former location of Fine Print downtown.
Casey also emphasized that if there were a need to develop more student housing that it would be completed on property the university already owns north of Seminary Street.
Casey also mentioned learning about the demolition of two properties on Bloomington Street across from Robe-Ann Park, which is now owned by Putnam County Comprehensive Services, earlier Thursday evening and said the university has no plans to purchase it, nor did the plans call for the acquisition of any new property in town.
"Cities are healthier if multiple building owners because it provides for more voices and flexibility," he said.
Other proposals from audience members included linking the signage between People Pathways, downtown and the university as well as bonding members of the community in showing young people what they do.
"What can you imagine that businesses chain between campus and the city square that would be pleasing to the community? Or what would be displeasing to you?" Casey asked audience members. "We want to be great neighbors.
"We're a great college town. How do we enrich that?"