On Oct. 9, protesters gathered at the Olmstead lot between St. Paul and Charles on 33rd. The protesters asked the University to develop the land. The University expressed its intent to build on the lot, but cited financial constraints as the reason for not moving forward. It is easy to be frustrated with the lack of progress, but the University's concerns are reasonable.
That said, the lot is an eyesore, and there are many low-cost options for beautifying it in the interim. One can easily envision a leveled, grassy lot for pickup games of Frisbee or soccer, a garden sponsored by student groups, a barbeque pit or an enclosed meeting area with benches. All or a combination of these options could be realized by the University. There might be a good and low-cost way to put the lot to use while the University gathers the resources to actually build.
For this reason, the University ought to open itself up to suggestions from students and groups on campus about what to do with the lot in the interim. Proposals would be evaluated on utility and feasibility, with the University having final say. By tapping the marketplace of ideas in this way, administrators can think of a variety of different uses for the lot. It will also be able to beautify the lot so that way it is less of an eyesore over the next few years.
Hopkins paid $12.5 million for the lot. It is a waste to allow the land to sit vacant and ugly while it could be put to good use at low cost. Almost everyone wants the University to build on the land. But this does not mean that we should have to wait to enjoy it.
