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Dear JCSU Family and Friends,
As a new calendar year begins, Johnson C. Smith is literally “rising to great occasions” as i transforms itself into Charlotte’s Premier Independent Urban University.
Achieving that broad and encompassing vision requires a physical transformation, as well new attitude, a change in program offerings and the way we operate our beloved institution.
That’s why the earth is moving on the JCSU campus and along Beatties Ford Road. Six projects, in varying degrees of completion, are currently underway: George E. Davis House renovation; Duke Hall renovation; Mosaic Village construction; HealthPlex construction; Grimes Lounge energy efficiency upgrades; and Smith Hall energy efficiency upgrades. These projects will radically alter our home, giving it the look, feel and atmosphere of an urban campus that will meet the needs of our students, faculty and staff for decades to come, as well as impact the lives of neighborhood residents.
This newsletter is dedicated to updating you on these projects, not only by reviewing their status, but also by exploiting how each one will contribute to the radical transformation of JCSU. Together, they will create a progressive campus that will attract a diverse pool of outstanding students, as well as top-notch, highly talented faculty and staff members.
So often, people ask how the University is funding these projects. They ask, “Are you taking money from scholarships and academic programs?” The answer is, “No.” The articles you will read clearly identify the funding sources for each project.
If you are in the JCSU family, I encourage you to walk around and view these projects. I am sure they will make you proud. If you are a friend of JCSU, I urge you to visit the campus. I am positive that you will like what you see as JCSU evolves into a cutting-edge 21st century university that will continue our long legacy of producing compassionate and forward-thinking leaders.
But while here, please forgive our appearance and any inconvenience you might experience due to the construction. The road to greatness can be messy at times, but I assure you it will be well worth it!
Dr. Ronald L. Carter
President
The George E. Davis House, at the corner of Campus and Dixon streets, is in the Biddleville section of Charlotte, N.C., one block from campus. This building was originally constructed in the 1890s, added onto in the 1900s, and given a brick veneer around 1929. Dr. Davis was the first black Professor here at Johnson C. Smith University and lived from 1862-1959.
The Davis House has fallen into disrepair and was suggested by many for demolition. However, the special significance in terms of its history, architecture and cultural importance contributed to its consideration as a historic landmark. This determination was based on the integrity of design, setting, workmanship, material, feeling and historic association, all of which led to the commission’s decision for the designation.
The architect of record for the project is the firm Neighboring Concepts. The renovation is expected to restore the building to its original look with modifications to accommodate the intended change in use. The scope of renovation will include high-efficiency building, windows and roofing systems. This building has been designated asthe first phase of the Foster Village Network Center master plan. The other projects in the network master plan include additional housing and the renovation of the Old Mount Carmel Baptist Church.
windows and roofing systems. This building has been designated as the first phase of the Foster Village Network Center master plan. The other projects in the network master plan include additional housing and the renovation of the Old Mount Carmel Baptist Church. This building has been designated as the first phase of the Foster Village Network Center master plan. The other projects in the network master plan include additional housing and the renovation of the Old Mount Carmel Baptist Church.
The Foster Village Network Center is designed to serve young men and women who have phased out of foster care by providing opportunities for them to pursue their entrepreneurial ambitions and the possibilities available through continued education. While an increasing number of universities around the country have established programs to support the needs of non-traditional students, very few are actively working with local child welfare agencies and community organizations to construct an integrated of support for students in all stages of the foster care system.
The JCSU program is rather unique in that it offers a holistic strategy that addresses the needs of students during high school, college years at JCSU and after graduation. The comprehensive program enlists the support of state- and community-based partner organizations, with a focus on funding, easing the transition from foster care to independent living, providing a supportive surrogate family for success during college and propelling young minds toward successful, productive lives in their communities.
The Foster Care Network will provide a myriad of services and support including:
The project is funded by Title III, Wells Fargo and a loan from the Historic Landmark Commission. The Davis House has been designated by the Historic Landmark Commission as one of the destination points on the historic map of greater Charlotte.
Duke Hall is undergoing a $5.5 million renovation with help from the Duke Endowment grant received last fall.
The current structure will be transformed into suite-style residential units. This thorough renovation project includes new plumbing and electrical work. Recently, students were given a chance to view the models and express their opinions on the lay-outs of the suites. Upgrades will include full kitchens, modern furniture, study and TV lounge areas. This provides the University another opportunity to create a living and learning environment where students achieve academic and personal success.
Gazing at a mosaic, it is nearly impossible to comprehend the amount of time and precision required to create the natural blending of elements that result in the final image. Individually, the pieces may appear disjointed. Yet, when placed together, the result is incredible.
Such a mosaic is envisioned along West Trade Street in the Historic West End.
Designed with college students and young professionals in mind, Mosaic Village is envisioned as a vibrant and energetic community located at the heart of Historic West End, just walking distance from center city Charlotte, Johnson C. Smith University, Johnson and Wales and Gateway Village. Seen as one of the first pieces of this envisioned cultural mosaic, the mixed-use project consists of a 299-bed housing facility for ]CSU, retail space and a 400-car parking deck.
Inspired by the area’s rich history and unmatched resilience, ]CSU’s Mosaic Village has carefully been sculpted by the cultural influence of jazz music, seen and heard at the nearby historic Excelsior Club. The rhythmic progression of the building pulls from the jazz aesthetic and its improvisational, yet structured, nature. A study of how the layers of music can inform and compose the layers of architecture produces an array of breaks, riffs, vamps, bridges and improvs in physical form. Following these rules
from the realm of jazz, the public and physical realm of
Mosaic Village becomes an architectural composition that
respects its history, while chartering a new path for the
Historic West End community.
Mosaic Village has been designed as a sustainable campus
that promotes diversity, mobility, identity, history and
vitality. The new urban housing development consists of 80
units each with a kitchen, washer/ dryer and two bathrooms.
Lounges and syndicate rooms are spread throughout each level to promote social interaction, while a fitness room,
game room and computer lab are located in the main lobby. The 6,800 square feet of street-level retail space
consists of three main shell spaces located along West Trade Street, each with an outdoor terrace and interior
courtyard. The parking deck serves the immediate needs of the building, while also providing adequate space to
serve the surrounding community and future development. As one of the main features of the village, the top level
of the deck serves as a rooftop terrace with a skyline view of uptown Charlotte.
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The village has a goal of sharing resources innovatively, appreciating the individual differences that come with
diversity and celebrating the opportunities for collaboration and engagement involved with being part of the overall
mosaic that is Historic West End.
Inspired by the area’s rich history and unmatched resilience, ]CSU’s Mosaic Village has carefully been sculpted by the cultural influence of jazz music, seen and heard at the nearby historic Excelsior Club. The rhythmic progression of the building pulls from the jazz aesthetic and its improvisational, yet structured, nature. A study of how the layers of music can inform and compose the layers of architecture produces an array of breaks, riffs, vamps, bridges and improvs in physical form. Following these rules from the realm of jazz, the public and physical realm of Mosaic Village becomes an architectural composition that respects its history, while chartering a new path for the Historic West End community.
Mosaic Village has been designed as a sustainable campus that promotes diversity, mobility, identity, history and vitality. The new urban housing development consists of 80 units each with a kitchen, washer/ dryer and two bathrooms.
Lounges and syndicate rooms are spread throughout each level to promote social interaction, while a fitness room, game room and computer lab are located in the main lobby. The 6,800 square feet of street-level retail space consists of three main shell spaces located along West Trade Street, each with an outdoor terrace and interior courtyard. The parking deck serves the immediate needs of the building, while also providing adequate space to serve the surrounding community and future development. As one of the main features of the village, the top level of the deck serves as a rooftop terrace with a skyline view of uptown Charlotte.
The village has a goal of sharing resources innovatively, appreciating the individual differences that come with diversity and celebrating the opportunities for collaboration and engagement involved with being part of the overallmosaic that is Historic West End.
Mosaic Village is a magnificent new urban student housing opportunity scheduled to open in fall, 2012. Located just a half-mile from campus, this modern suite-style apartment complex will serve 299 students at Johnson C. Smith University. The four-story urban housing facility will include: retail shops on the street level; a secured parking garage; a rooftop patio for event scheduling; an outdoor courtyard; two-, four- and five-bedroom unit floor plans; an environmentally-conscious modern design; video surveillance with 24-hour security; and amazing views of Charlotte’s skyline.
Students residing at Mosaic Village will enjoy the benefits of being close to campus and having easy access to classes, campus events and programs.
Amenities include:
The University’s goal is to ensure that the student experience is as convenient as possible. Students who live off campus sometimes struggle to balance the resources to pay for an apartment, transportation, gas, utilities, cable and other expenses. Mosaic Village will give them the opportunity to enjoy being close to campus While experiencing the benefits of safe and secure living. Students who are currently living off campus will be offered first priority to apply for housing at Mosaic Village.
A groundbreaking ceremony to launch the building of a new HealthPlex Center took place on August 19, 2011 at Johnson C. Smith University. Currently under construction, the center is a 5,750-square-foot addition to the existing swimming pool building adjacent to Brayboy Gymnasium. The HealthPlex will house the University’s wellness department and will give staff, faculty and students of ]CSU free access to a health facility and wellness programming. The programming will address the unique needs and concerns of the ]CSU campus and the surrounding community. The center will offer exercise, weight loss and nutrition programs to the University students, faculty and administration. It will also provide community outreach programs to Charlotte-Mecklenburg school children through instructions and promotion of health and fitness improvements.
The HealthPlex will have a fitness center equipped with Freemotion Fitness cardio and strength equipment, a multipurpose room equipped with a teaching kitchen, yoga and pilates studio, wellness programs, group exercise classes, aquatic programming, locker rooms, storage and offices.
Current programming includes health coaching, fitness challenges, Vitality Challenge, weight management, group exercise classes, water fitness classes, Living Healthy Seminar Series and fitness assessments. Future programming plans will offer a community health forum, a running group, health fair, 5K training program, triathlon training program, Greek games, a faculty/ staff field
Diane Bowles and Trustee Tom Baldwin Clay and 1'I1OtC.
Along with programming, the ]CSU HealthPlex also is the center of applied health research in the fields of health,
human performance and sports. Students, staff and faculty will be able to perform research that will benefit the
University and the surrounding community. The HealthPlex will be equipped with various pieces of equipment to
assist in research such as: iWorks metabolic cart with EKG, Keiser pneumatic power training equipment, MicroFit
health / wellness / nutrition tracking software, FitnessGram, Matrix’s KrankCycle, and Freemotion Fitness Inclines
Trainer treadmills.
Building materials and construction procedures emphasize sustainable “green” practice using exterior sun shades,
low-E glazing, zero VOC paints and high efficiency TPO reflective and insulated roofing. Select construction
refuse will be recycled through Mecklenburg County Recycling Center.