Temple plans to build new library, green space but doesn't mention football stadium

Temple University released plans to build a large central green space, revamped library and new interdisciplinary sciences building.

The green space, or "campus quad," will be a multi-purpose area clad with trees and benches, Temple's campus architect Margaret Carney said. It will serve the community just as any other urban park — a spot made for walking a dog, lounging with friends or throwing a Frisbee. It will have the potential to be a home for big events, "maybe for commencement some day," Carney said. The plan is to eventually remove outdated research buildings, including Beury Hall and Biology Life Sciences, to increase the size of the existing open space surrounding the Bell Tower. ( See renderings in the accompanying photo gallery.)

In an interview this past summer, Temple President Neil Theobald called the new 200,000-square-foot library "one of the most important construction projects in the history of the university." The $190 million facility is planned for the current grounds of Barton Hall between Liacouras Walk and 13th Street. The library is slated to include a robotic text-retrieval system, space for interaction and collaboration, as well as a green roof. It is funded by the state and the university, Carney said. The old Paley Library will become a hub for student services and academic support.

The new interdisciplinary sciences building, which will anchor the northeast corner of campus, will provide space for academic and research growth.

Temple's new plan detailed land for sports recreation, too, but surprising to some, there was no mention of a campus football field. In May, reporter Jeff Blumenthal touched on Temple's "stadium dreams," in a cover story, where Theobald talked about the benefits of an on-sight facility instead of continuing to rent out Lincoln Financial Field for home games.

In a phone conversation Monday, Temple spokesman Ray Betzner said that "no decisions have been made" about the potential campus stadium.

"We're not at a point where those options are firm or where we can talk about it," he said.

Carney said Temple has been discussing a campus football field for years. But, the most important thing right now is to focus on Temple's academic and research mission by investing in related facilities, she said.

Carney joined Temple nearly four years ago. Since she came on board as the university's first architect, and has seen several projects finish up, including new residence hall and dining complex Morgan Hall; the renovated Pearson and McGonigle halls; the Montgomery Avenue parking garage; and, most recently, the new Science Education and Research Center.

Temple has been moving at a seemingly fast pace. That's with good reason, Carney said.

"There is such a big need for things to happen quickly, so we don't lose great researchers or fall behind," she said, adding that it has created momentum that is sure to continue.

"It's exciting, although I'm exhausted," Carney admitted.

She hopes that with Temple's effort to invest in landscape in and around its North Philadelphia campus, "people will think of this part of Philadelphia as a more vibrant destination."

Details on Temple's landscape master plan are slated to be released later this month.

Want to learn more about Temple's new plan? You can read the latest version of it here.

Community meetings are being planned for November, in order to garner public input. Current members of the Temple community can share their views on the Visualize Temple website, where more than 3,000 people already contributed.

There will be a Board of Trustees meeting early December, where the plan will be presented for approval.

Source: Philadelphia Business Journal