Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1919-03-06
ALMA'S FUTURE
Many improvements Planned for the
Campus.

alton or two ago were i'm the habit
Of considering the location of each
particular building when the struct-
ure was about To be erected. There
were, however, some institutions that
had the foresight TO make the proper
survey of their grounds and To con-
slider the location of each building as
very important matter. Indeed in
"A properly devised architectural
scheme, each building must bear a
very definite relation to each other
building. The plans of the first
building erected will be affected by
the location of the second building,
hut will also be affected by the loca-
tion of the forty second building to
be erected years afterward.
The Alma College Board Of Trust
ees realizes that the institution has
in many ways reached it capacity.
When the need of a new science
building was discussed as well as adj
ditional library room and new gym
nasium. the wisdom Of the Board die
tated that consideration should at
once be given to comprehensive
building plan that would cover the
development Of Alma College for the
next twenty-five years or more, and
provide beginning for whatever de-
velophent might come after that
time
Perkins, Fellows and Hamilton of
Chicago, leading architectural firm
of America, was employed. The
heads of the firm made various visits
to Alma studying the grounds and
the needs of the College. The plan
that hangs in the presidents Office is
the result of the out growth of these
visits.
In general it may be said that the
block on which Pioneer Hall, the ad-
ministraton building and the gym
nasum now stand. is to become the
mems residential quadrangle. The
oxford unit system of dormitories is
to be operated. There will be about
twenty men to each section, and the
plan calls. for fourteen sections, and
for the eventual removal of the
buildings now OH this block.
The main academic buildings will
be on the high ground toward and
including the tennis courts. Davis
Field will be made to run north and
south instead of east and west as it
now does, and will extend farther
back, reaching the edge of the
Jungle.
The Chapel will stand at the north
end of the long axis of the academic
quadrangle. and will be inside the
present limits of the athletic field.
AS the plan contemplates the clos
ing of Philadelphia avenue, and the
purchase of sufficient land on the
south side of Superior street to make
our western limit on that side the
same as the western limit on the
north side. (the line beyond the ten
mis- courts to be extended southwark
in other words), there will BE- erected
on the southern end of the main axis
of the academic quadrangle, a Com
mons. which will be the social center
and dining hall for the whole insti-
tuition.
Across (the abandoned) Philadel-
phia avenue from Wright Hall, on the
lots now occupied by the presidents
residence, an additional girls dormi.
tory practically duplicating Wright
Hall. will be erected
Facing south from the Chapel, the
observer will look straight down the
main axis of the academic quadran.
gle TO the Commons.
The first building on the left will
be the new library building.
The second on his left will be the
new administration building.
Across Superior street on his left
will be the present Wright Hall.
On his right will be the new gym
nasum, and still beyond the new
Science Hall.
Other buildings may be povided fol-
10 the east and to the north Of tn,
chapel building.
The scale of buildings to be erected
may perhaps depend somewhat OF
the generosity of the friends of tn,
college Just now, with the prices o.
buildings somewhat unsettled, il j:
difficult 10 make exact statements
but the Science Hall is expected :,
cost from 100000 to $l25.O00. Eacl
section of the mems dormitories vii
cost from $4,000 to S22, 500. Tn,
library may be expected TO cost
minimum of 100000.
The gymnasium will probably requir,
in these days an expenditure of from
$4,000 to 100000. The Chape
planned will approximate 100000.
The plan contemplates at a late
date gymnasium for women whicl
will be located in close proximity L
the women's dormitories.