About the Campus Master Plan
The Campus Master Plan is designed to align Cabrini College’s physical environment with its commitment to creating a vibrant student-centered living and learning environment, while preserving and celebrating the central historic core of the original Woodcrest Estate. Over the next 15 years, the plan allows for the phasing and implementation of building and renovation projects that reflect the following key components: Converting to a pedestrian-friendly campus by consolidating a large portion of the current surface parking lots into parking structures linked by an internal connector road, to reduce traffic in the campus core Strengthening the academic environment by improving spaces for teaching and collaboration, and relocating key faculty departments and offices Enhancing student life through the addition of a Campus Center, replacement of older, outdated residence halls and improved dining, athletic, recreational, and co‑curricular programming space Fostering spiritual development and fellowship through expansion of the Bruckmann Memorial Chapel of St. Joseph and development of contemplative gathering places Stewarding the legacy of the Woodcrest property through careful and on‑going preservation of the Mansion, the restoration of Grace Hall and strengthening of the campus landscape Expanding our commitment to sustainability by promoting pedestrian circulation, strengthening connections with natural resources, preserving the wooded natural buffer and storm water management areas, and providing for best practices in sustainable design
The preliminary element of the Master Plan, creating a pedestrian-friendly campus, has begun with the submission to the Radnor Township Planning Commission of land-development plans for construction of two parking structures, modest expansion of the current Dixon Center for athletics and recreation, and construction of a new Campus Center.
Timeline
In May 2011, the College submitted a land-development plan to Radnor Township for approval. The project originally included a parking structure at the southern end of campus along Eagle Road (across from Eastern University). Over the summer of 2011, the College held meetings with neighbors to get feedback on the land-development plan. The College presented the plan to the Planning Commission in February 2012. After the commission and neighbors expressed concerns over the location of the structure and a proposed additional entrance on Eagle Road, the College held more meetings with neighbors to better understand their concerns. In June 2012, the College unveiled an alternative plan to the original parking structure plan, with two structures and no additional campus entrances. This plan gained the support of neighbors and received a positive response from the Planning Commission in August 2012. The August presentation to the Planning Commission also included the Campus Center and Dixon Center expansion. In October, the Radnor Shade Tree Commission expressed approval for the College’s application. On Nov. 5, the College again presented to the Planning Commission, requesting preliminary approval of the plan. The Commission did not act on the application and requested more detail and information. The College received preliminary approval on the first phase of the Master Plan from the Radnor Township Planning Commission on Dec. 4, 2012. The College presented the land-development plan to the township’s Board of Commissioners on Dec. 17. The Township’s Board of Commissioners granted preliminary approval on the land-development plan—which includes two parking structures—on Jan. 7, 2013. The College now will begin the final approval process, which includes submitting detailed plans for approval to the Shade Tree Commission, the Planning Commission, and finally to the Board of Commissioners. |