Delegation from Ridges Master Planning Committee travels to Traverse City

The Ridges Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet Oct. 1 to discuss developments in The Ridges Master Planning – 2014 document process. Members of The Ridges Master Planning Committee, the group charged with recommending future uses of the land and buildings located at the former Athens Lunatic Asylum, have been busy collecting public feedback through workshops and working with consulting firm Schooley Caldwell Associates (SCA) to develop ideas for The Ridges.

Idea development was the focus of a recent trip to Traverse City, Michigan in mid-August for several members of The Ridges Master Planning Committee. The group, which included representatives from SCA, visited a former Kirkbride facility similar in scope and historical context to The Ridges that had been developed and revitalized. Raymond and Ray Minervini of Minervini Group LLC hosted the OHIO group and provided insight into the process of developing the old facility for new uses.

Compass caught up with Dean of the Graduate College and Vice President for Research and Creative Activity Joseph Shields, who serves as co-chair of the master planning committee, to get his impression of the trip and the Michigan facility.

All photos courtesy of Ben Stuart, Existing Buildings subcommittee chair of The Ridges Master Planning Committee.