University of Arizona

University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona

University of Arizona Historic Preservation (Website)

University of Arizona Historic Preservation Plan: Main (PDF 14.8 MB)

University of Arizona Historic Preservation Plan: Appendix 1 (Inventory) (PDF 973 KB)

University of Arizona Historic Preservation Plan: Appendix 2 (Development Maps) (PDF 968 KB)

University of Arizona Historic Preservation Plan: Appendix 3 (Building Maintenance Manual) (PDF 19.6 MB)

University of Arizona Historic Preservation Plan: Appendix 4 (Building Maintenance Manual) (PDF 11.5 MB)

The University of Arizona was citizen-founded in 1885 as a state land grant institution, and the original West Campus is now a National Register Historic District. The extensive grounds and original vegetation included in the district were recognized as an Arboretum in 2002 by the American Association of Botanical Gardens and Arboreta. Grant funds will permit the university to prepare a preservation master plan that will survey the historic character of the district, including its archaeological resources, summarize past and current preservation efforts, and provide a means to prioritize conservation activities.

University of Arizona received a Getty grant in 2004 for $150,000 to support campus heritage planning.

Report Summary

Historic Preservation Plan

Area of study: 33 acre historic core, arboretum

Plan has two parts:

• General plan
• Set of maintenance manuals for buildings and landscapes (appendix 3 & 4)

Historic Plan

Plan based on a historic preservation plan developed by National Trust for Historic Preservation and American Planning Association. Preservation Plan contains ten elements.

Purpose of Plan

Focus on historic aspect of 2003 Campus Plan, define and inventory historic aspect of campus, develop practices and policies, develop 2 maintenance manuals for landscape and buildings.

Plan Development

• Workshops, public meetings, student involvement.
• Campus area definition.

History

Historic Old Main, Academic followed by City Beautiful influences on campus character.

Landscape developed over several historic eras. Use of gates, walls, lawns, pond, vines on buildings. City Beautiful / Beaux Arts planning: malls, walls and fountains.

Campus Character

Building placement, materials, roof lines, height, scale, building entries, shade devices. Neighborhoods surrounding the university. Past and present preservation efforts.

Goals and Recommendations

• Educate, inform the community about historic preservation resources and issues
• Listen to campus community
• Create a usable document as a planning tool
• Create goals and policies that can be implemented
• Formulate policies and goals that have public benefit
• Determine time frames and strategies for implementation
• Identify responsible parties for implementation
• Implement goals that will unveil unique character of campus
• Develop feasible institutional preservation policies
• Discourage “sameness”
• Encourage quality design
• Understand that strong preservation practices can heal and prevent past mistakes.

Goals and Strategies

Outreach and Educational Goals

• Create opportunities of campus community and the public to appreciate and participate in exploration of Historic District.
• Educate the campus and grater community about campus heritage and history.
• Educate the campus residents, students, and others about the historic significance of the older dormitory housing.

• Examine Campus Boundaries and Neighborhood Issues.
• Building inventory

Outcomes

• Comprehensive maintenance manuals: appendix 3, buildings, appendix 4, landscape
• Report published and available online.

Notable Architects and Designers

Roy Place, James Miller Creighton, David H. Holmes, J B Lyman, James McMillan, Terry Atkinson, Arthur T. Brown. Freidman & Jobusch

Significant individuals, presidents, faculty outlined.