Berklee2005: Pursue New Directions 3.4

3.4 Meet Facility Needs of the New Vision

Identify and equip facility needs of new college vision. Evaluate real estate opportunities for other needs such as residence halls, student life space, technology production facilities, and additional performance venues.

(progress as of August 2004, August 2003, August 2002, August 2001)

Progress as of August 2005
During 2000–2004 the student body at Berklee grew 43 percent while the college’s physical space grew only 14 percent. The college’s need for adequate space has been a constant concern during this period and caused the 2003 NEASC visiting accreditation team to strongly recommend that the college review its enrollment planning in light of its need for space to carry out its mission. During the 2004–2005 academic year Berklee committed to no enrollment growth until space needs were met.

Dozens of changes—moves, new rentals, remodeling—were undertaken during the period and have been reported in these pages as they have occurred. The Space Planning Committee has worked tirelessly to accommodate growing enrollment and enrollment support. There has been success in meeting some facility needs but significant issues remain. In Spring 2005 the President’s Council attended an all-day charrette devoted to space planning. Similar sessions were held with directors, chairs, and at a town meeting with the college community. What is needed is a new vision for Berklee’s campus that constitutes bold movements to meet the facility needs of the vision.

The college began an institutional master space planning process using an experienced professional space planning firm to develop a long-term space plan to address internal campus needs in a way that is consistent with planning standards of the City of Boston and the Fenway/Back Bay neighborhood.

In addition to longer-term planning efforts, the college continues to seek shorter-term solutions in the next two years through leased properties available in the immediate area.

Finally, a new trustee building and facility committee was appointed in June 2005 to provide trustee leadership and oversight.

Progress as of August 2004
The administration, the College Space Committee, and the Facility Needs Leadership Oversight Group are actively working to meet some immediate space needs through lease opportunities and to continue pursuit of a new site for a much larger space addition. The college has worked actively with real estate advisors at the firm of McCall and Almy to evaluate potential sites, and retained the firm of Miller Dyer Spears (who did the college’s comprehensive space study in 1977) to assist in space planning efforts.

The Space Planning Committee meets monthly to review allocations of existing spaces and coordinate space-related projects. During the past year, the college has completed the following projects:

A new main elevator project in 1140 Boylston Street, after several delays due to construction complexities, will be completed in Summer 2004.
An expanded, upgraded, and safer information technology server room was completed in 1140 Boylston Street, 4th floor.
The 168 Massachusetts Avenue computer store was enlarged using former storage space to support the new mandatory student computer purchase program.
Improvements to windows, interior finishes, and some exterior work were completed at the 98 Hemenway Street residence hall.
The 150 Massachusetts Avenue freight elevator was upgraded.
Planning was completed for a major upgrade to sprinklers and alarms in 150 Massachusetts Avenue on levels A and 1 to complete the building’s systems.
A number of minor renovations were completed in the Berklee Performance Center to improve disability access.

The Facility Needs Leadership Oversight Group met on three occasions to hear updates on space planning and site review. The committee first heard a “very preliminary feasibility study” report from Legett & McCall Properties outlining the possibility of a new multistory college building to be built on the Berklee Pavilion site behind 130 Massachusetts Avenue. The building might house a student center, academic/administrative offices, and 500 or more student residence spaces, in addition to retail space and parking.

In April 2004 this group heard about a possible conversion of the 360 Newbury Street (VirginRecords) building into up to 325 residence hall beds plus 12,500 square feet of institutional space. This was presented to and favorably received by the trustees in June 2004. Negotiations continue with the building owner, together with related space planning and architectural review.

A number of other space leasing possibilities have been considered. An effort to use about 25,000 square feet in floors above the Mary Baker Eddy Library at 200 Massachusetts Avenue was deferred after a promising start when the Church of Christ Scientist decided to further review its own space needs. In July 2004 a lease was completed of about 11,000 square feet of class A office space on the 4th floor at 855 Boylston Street. At this writing a transcation is nearing completion to sublease 4,000 square feet of possible classroom space at 867 Boylston Street. Pending final lease completion, space use planning, and review of zoning requirements the space will be available for use in either Fall or Winter 2004. This will initiate a series of moves that could provide larger space for Berklee Media, the Ear Training Department, performance division private lesson spaces, a number of administrative and technology offices, the Berklee bookstore, and Campus Security.

College spaces have been accurately measured and the process for updating the information into the Colleague database is under discussion.

Major facility projects planned for the year ahead include the completion of the alarm/sprinkler system at 150 Massachusetts Avenue, creation of three digital recording studios at 150 Massachusetts Avenue for Music Synthesis, further window renovation at 98 Hemenway Street, and a number of improvements for the Percussion Department at 1140 Boylston Street. Planning efforts will begin for a comprehensive energy review, an update to our 1998 ADA-related disability access study, specifications for a sprinkler system for 98 Hemenway Street and an overall campus facility review to be done by Aramark Facilities division as part of their new role as the overseer of the college’s daily building maintenance operation.

Connected offices include Academic Affairs, for space-related academic initiatives and concerns; Information Technology, for support, planning, and assessment; Institutional Advancement, for implications in fundraising and development; and Student Affairs, for involvement of student life and residence issues.

Facility Needs Leadership Oversight Group
David R. Hornfischer Vice President for Administration and Finance, Chair/Cabinet Liaison
Allan T. McLean Chair, Board of Trustees
Vivian C. Beard Vice Chair, Board of Trustees
Andrew Cohen Trustee
Cecily Morse Trustee
William Morton Trustee
Robert Banker Banker Real Estate, Boston (non-trustee member)
Roger Brown President
Tom Riley Vice President for External Affairs
Sandy Tierney McCall & Almy (college real estate advisor)

College Space Planning Committee
David R. Hornfischer Vice President for Administration and Finance, Chair
S. Jay Kennedy Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs
William MacKay Director of Housing
Marjorie O’Malley Assistant Vice President for Institutional Advancement
Tom Riley Vice President for External Affairs
Rob Rose Associate Vice President for Special Programs
Bruce Spena Director, Physical Plant
Rena Wade Director, Administrative Auxiliary Services

Progress as of August 2003
The Leadership Oversight Group selected the firm of McCall and Almy to be the college’s real estate advisor to assist in selecting sites and helping to identify other specialized consultants as needed. McCall & Almy advise that focus should be on primarily vacant land sites nearby that would allow for a new facility. The committee also supported retention of a financial/project consultant to work with the administration to evaluate potential of these vacant sites:

College land behind the 130 Massachusetts Avenue building
St. Cecilia's parcel, 1085 Boylston Street lot
Ipswich Street property now used by Tommy's Taxi

The college has also held preliminary discussion regarding student housing with a developer planning an air rights development over the Massachusetts Turnpike behind Landsdowne Street and continues to explore other sites independently and in conjunction with the Boston Consortium.

The college’s Space Planning Committee meets monthly to review allocations of existing spaces and coordinate space-related projects. During the current year, the college has completed the following:

Opening of a new multifunction room on the first floor of 1140 Boylston Street.
Completed a lease of the 3,500 square-foot third floor at 899 Boylston Street (above Berklee Media). This will accommodate administrators in Administration/Finance, Office of Institutional Research and Assessment, and Institutional Research, as well as staff from the comptroller’s office, Student Affairs, and Berklee Media.
Work was completed on room 2U at 1140 Boylston Street to create a new office for the college's new director of professional development and an office assistant space for the new associate vice president for administration.
Planning is complete for the renovation of room 4R at 1140 Boylston Street for use as an expanded file server room by Information Technology.
Renovations are being planned in the lower level at 168 Massachusetts Avenue for an enlarged computer store to support the mandatory student computer initiative.
Work was completed in the former Payroll area at 921 Boylston to create new Bursar office space and office reorganization that will accommodate two new Comptroller/Bursar staff.
Construction has begun for replacement of the main elevator at 1140 Boylston Street and will continue through summer 2003. The shaft has been renovated and the new cab is in final design for construction soon.
Planning continues in the Music Technology Division regarding the use of space at 150 Massachusetts Avenue “A” level (formerly occupied by Music Synthesis Department offices) and for phase 2 of the Fordham Road facility.
Planning has begun for the upgrade of the fire alarm system and completion of the sprinkler system at lower levels of 150 Massachusetts Avenue. Alarm installations is planned for 2003-2004 and sprinkler work for 2004-2005.

Progress as of August 2002
In December 2001, the vice president of administration and finance made a presentation to the Leadership Oversight Group on the college's overall space situation, including a summary of present space, a comparison of Berklee's space per community member to that of other area colleges, a list of some identified major needs, a list of possible sites under review and an update on relationships established with realtors to help locate potential sites. A local real estate investor was identified by a trustee and added to the committee. The possible acquisition of space at 155-171 Massachusetts Avenue has not moved ahead due to changing market conditions and unresolved environmental problems. A building with over 50,000 square feet with land for further development at 3 Charlesgate (the Trans National Travel, or TNT building) was identified as being available and after brief review a purchase offer was made to the owner. The owner recently took the property off the market until the fall of 2002 and the college withdrew its offer.

The college's Space Planning Committee meets monthly to review allocations of existing spaces and coordinate space-related projects. In November 2001, 3,500 square feet of new space was sub-leased for Berklee Media at 899 Boylston Street, making office space at 155 Massachusetts Avenue available for part-time faculty and IT use. The 168 Massachusetts Avenue Business Center opened in April and has freed space at 1140 Boylston Street for performance division offices and at 150 Massachusetts Avenue for Music Synthesis Department offices. Construction is in process with completion for technology and performance offices and labs scheduled for August 2002 and remodeling the 1140 building's lobby for October 2002. A lab classroom in technology will be planned this fall. Unassigned space at Fordham Road is still under review. Renovation of the main passenger elevator in the 1140 building is scheduled for the winter of 2002-03.

Status of space opportunities as of August 2002:

899 Boylston Street, 3rd floor (4000 square feet). The vice president of administration and finance is currently negotiating a sub-lease of this additional space for possible use by various administrative functions in information technology, comptroller, and student affairs. ACME Building Services would like to sub-lease a quarter of this space. The 16,000 square feet building is unofficially on the market at a price of between $7 and $8 million. (The basement and first floor are under long term retail leases.)
Berklee's lease for space on the 4th floor at 155 Massachusetts Avenue was renewed for five more years at the present favorable rate.
The vice president of administration and finance reviewed spaces at 93 Massachusetts Avenue (above mattress store) and 100 Massachusetts Avenue (above Urban Outfitters, on Newbury Street corner) that are available now. They are small office suites of about 2000 square feet apiece with air conditioning and bathrooms nearby, and accessible by elevator. They need improvements including carpet, paint, and ceilings. Spaces are functional but not first class; use for classrooms would be difficult.
Informal discussions have been held with several large developers and contractors regarding college residence hall needs and a number of informal suggestions reviewed. The most interesting land site is an 11,000 square foot lot owned by St. Cecelia's Church behind the 150 Massachusetts Avenue building. The church is currently having the property appraised.
The Boston Consortium continues to seek a site for a multi-institutional residence hall for older students. They are presently pursuing a deal with Habitat for Learning, which has a site in Watertown. Boston College and Tufts University have indicated interest. While there might not be direct Berklee involvement, if developed it could be something marketable to students.

Progress as of August 2001
This initiative will be primarily concerned with space issues, including ongoing needs, needs connected with the strategic initiatives, and needs known but presently unmet. A preliminary project agenda includes the following: (1) additional student housing space, (2) improved performance space, (3) improved student life spaces, (4) faculty offices and other academic spaces, and (5) improved/expanded spaces to meet needs for technology-related initiatives.

The Task Force for this initiative is the College Space Planning Committee a standing committee that coordinates facility master planning projects including making recommendations for space allocation and coordinating logistical details of projects: scheduling of work, setting of priorities, minimizing impact on college operations, and coordinating relocation of offices during construction.

A number of space-related initiatives are underway that will come under the purview of this committee. These include the anticipated purchase of 155-171 Massachusetts Avenue, the lease of 168 Massachusetts Avenue, decisions on the use of spaces freed by any moves from existing spaces, review of alternatives for residence halls, and review of other neighborhood space opportunities including college-owned space on Boylston Street behind 130 Massachusetts Avenue.

back to Pursue New Directions