Facilities Management

Comprehensive Facilities Plan

St. Cloud State University announced in July of 2024 a new Comprehensive Facilities Plan that defines and prioritizes how space is used on campus in order to create a more vibrant, connected campus environment. A Comprehensive Facilities Plan is the guiding document for short-term and long-term planning of the physical campus (buildings, landscaping, and hardscaping). This Comprehensive Facilities Plan will serve as an action guide to realigning the physical spaces with the institution's new and evolving needs. 

St. Cloud State maintains more square feet of buildings per student than any other Minnesota State institution, highlighting the need to occupy less space while enhancing the campus experience through pedestrian walkways and increased natural spaces. We are adapting to changes in campus demographics by adjusting our campus footprint to allow for new and evolving needs.

The plan is not just about reducing space; it is about reimagining our campus to better serve our students, faculty, staff, and the broader community. We are creating an environment that fosters innovation, collaboration, and excellence.

Overview

Higher education is changing rapidly, and SCSU plans to build on its strengths and reposition the institution for a bright future with a significant course correction in the University’s budget. Similar to regional universities across the state and nation, St. Cloud State University is working through significant financial challenges caused by an ongoing financial structural deficit and the impact COVID‑19 had on enrollment beginning Fall 2020.

In response to the changes to our on‑campus population demographics and budget challenges, SCSU’s facility footprint must change as well, and quickly. This Comprehensive Facilities Plan will serve as an action guide to realign the physical spaces with the new and evolving needs of the institution. The recommended campus changes will be fiscally responsible and will follow an aggressive timeline. As SCSU’s current tagline says, “It’s time to be bold, to innovate for a new generation of students, and to focus and turn challenges we face into our opportunities.”

The primary focus of this comprehensive plan is on the next five years, with some visioning that extends to years 6–15. The plan includes reducing the campus footprint by 542,447 GSF, which will open up new opportunities for site redevelopment. Additionally, implementing the plan will involve realignment of internal space to respond to the shifting academic portfolio and changes in course delivery modes. SCSU is currently funding repair and renewal far below the Minnesota State guideline and is not keeping pace with the investment rate occurring at other Minnesota State institutions. Sufficient investment in operations and maintenance, and repair and renewal, will be necessary to achieve the outcomes proposed in this CFP.

The overarching goal is to realign building and site features and reinvest to create a welcoming, invigorating, and engaging campus. The SCSU community wants to be visible in outdoor spaces, with amenities that encourage interaction and enjoyment. The proposed framework includes intentional development of greenspace and right sizing to create a density of people in the core of the campus. Additionally, the university aims to reengage with the Mississippi River and enhance outdoor areas to create a unique, memorable experience.

Campus Planning Guiding Principles

Given the potential impacts and opportunities to the campus, these guiding principles provide a basic framework for campus development and planning for the next 15 years:

Balance: SCSU’s stewardship of its fiscal, built, and natural resources should reflect the need for a sustainable and adaptable future.
Welcome: Opportunities to provide a sense of place and arrival should include enhancement of the campus edge, relationship to the river, and places for people to linger.
Connect: Once on campus, the current circulation network for people, bikes, and cars should be defined and strengthened. Connections should also be made between the north and south areas of campus and the Mississippi River.
Activate: These efforts should lead to student-centered hubs promoting their academic or public function.

Key Initiatives

Improve Campus Gateways and Identity
Re-engage with the Mississippi River
Create memorable exterior spaces
Realign parking to improve campus cohesiveness
Realign campus pedestrian and vehicular pathways
Increase usage of preferred buildings; improve academic space adjacencies
Reduce the number of buildings being used and maintained
Remove buildings that are no longer needed
Realign spaces for student support needs
Atwood Memorial and Garvey Commons improvements
Housing/Residential Life improvements
Athletic & Recreation facility and site improvements
Address deferred maintenance and improve quality of spaces
Physical plant and utilities improvements
Substantial remodels or new construction
Initiatives related to leased properties and off-campus properties

Artist rendering of students on campus with green space

River Engagement

Artist rendering of students crossing street with nice landscaping

6th Street Enhancements

Artist rendering of students walking on sidewalk in front of ISELF building

Southside Renovations

Key Projects

Key Project 1: River Engagement

The definition of the river path and primary connection, along with a new river balcony overlook, reestablishes the park-like setting of the campus and its relationship to the Mississippi River. This project involves the removal of small parking lots along the river and the demolition of KVAC and Whitney House.

Key Project 2: 6th Street Enhancements

With adjacency to Atwood and the dining center, 6th Street should become a pedestrian-centric pathway, minimizing vehicular traffic to service and emergency vehicles only and leading to the river overlook. This project involves improving the gateway to campus from 5th Avenue and creating adjacent green space at the campus entry.

Key Project 3: New Central Campus Quad

Once the Performing Arts Center is removed, a stronger and expanded Campus Quad could be developed. This area would link Atwood, Centennial (Husky Plaza), the Miller Center, and the Administration Building. It would provide a large greenspace for campus and community events and be connected by a portion of the North–South Husky Way pedestrian pathway.

Key Project 4: South Campus Renovation

Removal of the existing Education and ECC buildings will provide opportunities to extend a more natural North–South Husky Way to the athletics and recreation area and enhance the primary vehicular connection along 9th Street to consolidated parking areas.

Key Project 5: North Campus Renovation

To enhance the visibility of active student spaces, outdoor spaces near the residence halls should be prioritized for reinvestment including extension of the North-South Husky Way and potential new residential housing and consolidated parking.

Key Project 6: 8th Street Enhancements

This project would convert a portion of 8th Street into a pedestrian mall once Headley Hall is removed. It would allow the front of ISELF to open onto the main quad and connect to the North–South Husky Way.