by EMILY MELTON
News Reporter

The final draft of the campus master plan, a guideline for the next decade of campus construction, was submitted over the summer. 

When the plan was made public, concerns rose about the destruction of Legends, an on-campus host to many visiting bands and performing artists.

In the draft, a residence hall and parking deck was shown in place of the area where Legends now stands.

After becoming aware of the rumors, Paul D. Ford, event operations and staff manager at Plemmons Student Union, contacted the administration and learned Legends would remain on campus.

When Ford researched the issue, he discovered several students had already written to the administration to question the outcome of the facility.

The administration wrote back, assuring them Legends was safe.

“I had initially heard some rumors,” Ford said. “I think it’s all been cleared up. As far as we know, we’re back in the master plan and there’s no fear, at least in the immediate future, of our being closed down.”

Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs Greg M. Lovins said the draft made available to the public was an early, incorrect version.

“One draft of the master plan that got on the Web site shouldn’t have,” Lovins said. “The thought was that Legends would still occupy space underneath [the residence hall] and the residence hall would go above [it]. We decided that wouldn’t be the right thing to do.”

Lovins hopes the Board of Trustees will approve the final draft in September.

Until then, several projects will continue and emerge throughout the school year. 

Director of Design & Construction Clyde D. Robbins said there is no plan to shut down Legends, but construction will soon start on the George G. Beasley Broadcasting Complex, future site of campus radio station WASU and a new campus television station.

AppalCART services will also expand and more parking will be allotted to Holmes Convocation Center.

Ongoing projects include the restoration of Kraut Creek, Cone Residence Hall, the underground steam system, the Reich College of Education building and various street repairs.

While the plan for campus construction continues, Appalachian State University will work with Boone as the town begins its Land Use Master Plan, expected to be finished in 2030.

Eventually, Boone may see buildings on King Street used for both apartments and businesses, the expansion of town sidewalks and an improved transportation system.

“A lot more projects are in design,” Robbins said. “We just haven’t been able to start on them just yet.”

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