BACKGROUND

The University of Connecticut (UConn) plans to construct a new School of Nursing Building on Bolton Road within its South Campus. Currently, the School of Nursing entirely resides in Storrs Hall on the north side of campus. The new School of Nursing Building would be strategically located adjacent to existing clinical, academic, and research space, and in proximity to the long-term development plan outlined in the 2015-2035 Campus Master Plan. The School of Nursing would vacate Storrs Hall and the University would identify a new use for the structure.

The proposed undertaking would construct up to a four-story building, approximately 70,000-80,000 gross square feet (gsf) in size. The building program would include:

• Instructional spaces, including a lecture hall and classrooms
• A Simulation Lab Suite
• A Human Behavioral Research Lab
• A Wet Lab
• A Student Academic Center
• Offices and support spaces

Accessible parking and service and loading zones would also be provided on-site, as well as usable open space around the building.

The majority of the project site lies within a surface parking lot (Lot S). Employee parking spaces lost in Lot S would be redistributed across other existing surface lots that have capacity. A small triangular grass parcel to the south of the parking lot would be relandscaped as part of the project. The project site is located within a developed context; surface parking, multi-story academic buildings, residence halls, and the South Campus Chiller Plant surround the site. E.O. Smith High School is located to the south, across Bolton Road.

The School of Nursing Building project is currently in the Planning Phase with design anticipated to complete in June 2024, followed by bidding. Construction is anticipated to begin in November 2024 and complete in July 2026.

(As published in the Environmental Monitor on August 8, 2023)

Address of possible location:  Alethia Drive

Municipality where proposed action might be located: Mansfield

Project Description: The University of Connecticut (UConn) is planning to construct a new School of Nursing building on Alethia Drive within its South Campus in Storrs. Currently the School of Nursing entirely resides in Storrs Hall on the north side of campus. The new School of Nursing building would be strategically located between existing clinical, academic, and research space, and align with the long-term development plan outlined in the 2015-2035 Campus Master Plan.

The Proposed Action to be assessed under the Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA) would construct up to a 4-story building approximately 70,000-80,000 gross square feet (gsf) in size. The building program would include:

• Instructional spaces, including a lecture hall and classrooms
• A Simulation Lab Suite
• A Human Behavioral Research Lab
• A Wet Lab
• A Student Academic Center
• Offices and support spaces

Accessible parking and service and loading zones would also be provided on-site, as well as usable open space around the building.

The purpose of this project is to accommodate increased enrollment for the School of Nursing that in turn will help address the shortage of nurses, the changing nature of healthcare, and the increasing disparity in health outcomes regionally and nationally. Storrs Hall cannot fulfill that purpose or adequately satisfy future requirements in terms of size and spatial configuration. The new School of Nursing building would support new teaching modes by educating nurses through patient-centered practice, interdisciplinary research, and technology-based innovations.

Project Map: Click here to view a map of the project area.

Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until 5:00 PM EST on: Friday, September 8, 2023

There will be a public scoping meeting online for this proposed action:

DATE:  Wednesday, August 30, 2023

TIME:  6:00 PM EST

Participants MUST register in advance at:

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_CGqGZiYORruXFnnD9488iA

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting, including an option to join by phone.

A recording of the public scoping meeting will be linked on this page by 5:00 PM EST on Friday, September 1, 2023.

Written comments and/or questions about the public scoping meeting, or other questions about the scoping for this project, should be sent to:

Name: Antoaneta Fedeles, AIA, PMP, LEED AP

Agency: University Planning, Design & Construction

Address:  3 Discovery Drive, U-6038, Storrs, CT 06269

E-Mail: antoaneta.fedeles@uconn.edu

Inquiries and requests to view and or copy documents, pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, must be submitted to:  https://publicrecords.uconn.edu/make-a-request/

What Happens Next: The University will make a determination whether to proceed with preparation of an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) or that the project does not require the preparation of an EIE under the Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA). A Post-Scoping Notice of its decision will appear in a future edition of the Environmental Monitor.