The 2008 master plan for Hamline University is the result of a design and planning evolution as it relates to a new vision for the campus in 2030. After completing the 2004 master plan for Hamline, oslund.and.assoc. recommendations for “charging” the northern side of campus with a renewed life took root in the creation of the Klas Center. This new, mixed-use stadium, campus center and classroom building has been an incredible success and clearly demonstrates the positive impacts of a thoughtful campus master plan. Moving beyond the 2004 master plan, Hamline undertook a series of introspective analyses, including: a strategic plan and an integrated facilities plan. The driving goals and principles of the 2008 Master Plan evolved directly from the analyses that Hamline had completed, as well as from an extensive and deeply community-based exploratory design process.
The Master Plan focused on concentrating campus expansion to the south, near the location for a new University Center and campus green space. Expanding undergraduate on-campus housing is a strong priority. Ensuring that the campus has the space to accommodate its anticipated growth in a thoughtful and contextually-appropriate way was a critical piece of the master plan. Campus walkability and transit-oriented design moves were also considered as they relate to the proposed Central Corridor LRT line that will pass nearby at University Avenue.