It stands on University Street and stares at Pioneer Cemetery, a concrete giant full of trembling rafters, sky-high seats and the smell of sweat. University students begin their college careers here at convocation, and end them in the same place at commencement. And now that Matthew Knight Arena is being built, the University must decide what to do with its landmark, McArthur Court.
The Future of Mac Court Committee held an informational meeting Monday to update the public on the building’s future. Nothing has been decided, but University President Dave Frohnmayer and Senior Vice President and Provost Jim Bean, who will make the final decision, have requested the committee focus on possible academic uses for the space.
Architecture professor Robert Melnick, the committee chair, said there are three options for Mac Court: preservation, adaptive reuse or demolition. Preservation is unlikely, he said, because the University does not need two basketball courts. The other two options are the most probable.
Bean and Frohnmayer have told the committee to consider the history of the building, sustainability and the economics of the project when drafting a proposal.
“The Mac Court site should be used in a way that maximizes the impact on the University’s strategic direction while paying appropriate homage to the site’s history,” Bean said in a statement. “The Mac Court committee is doing an excellent job of sorting through the many options and developing criteria to help us choose an appropriate outcome.”
Community members in attendance represented the South Campus neighborhood near Mac Court. Neighborhood association president Marilyn Milne said she hoped the University would consider its neighbors when it changes Mac Court. Parking is a big issue, she said, because less parking on campus means more cars parked illegally in her neighborhood.
Many audience members agreed parking was an issue, and several expressed enthusiasm for a parking garage, preferably underground, on the site.
Janet Heinonen, who also lives in the South Campus neighborhood, suggested the building be kept an athletic facility, but be used for students who participate in club sports.
Some students who actively use Mac Court are also ambivalent about its future. University junior Cameron Mertens, a third-year Pit Crew member, said, “I personally love Mac Court – it’s this and Autzen that made my decision to come here.”
Mertens has participated in Pit Crew since he was a sophomore in high school, when his college friends would sneak him in and let him wear one of the T-shirts. He is excited for the new arena, he said, but will miss Mac Court. “You’re kind of in awe after the first game,” he said.
University senior Matt Takimoto, Green Garter Band director, said he doesn’t know what should happen to the site. “I think the building has a lot of history,” he said, for more than just sports – it’s a piece of history for the fans, the band and the cheerleaders who help make the Mac Court experience what it is.
“I’d love to see Mac Court just stand around and be there for years and years to come,” Takimoto said, but he realizes the campus needs to expand and add residence halls and classrooms.
The committee must present a proposal to Frohnmayer and Bean by the end of spring term, but has yet to make any decisions.
Takimoto said he will be happy with whatever the committee decides. “It has a lot of memories for me, but I’m going to remember those either way.”
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