UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON ARCHIVES
ORAL HISTORY PROJECT

Interview #706
HOPKINS, EDWARD

HOPKINS, Edward (1931- )
Campus Planner
At UW: 1964-1998

Interviewed: 2005	
Interviewer: Arthur Hove
Length: 1 hour, 15 minutes

Department of Planning and Construction; Development of the University Research Park; Community relations; Storm water control; Future expansion; Design review board; “Green” buildings; Campus expansion.

Interview Session (March 1, 2005): Tapes 1-2

Tape 1/Side 1

00:01:08	Edward Hopkins came to UW in 1964 as the campus planner for the Department of Planning and Construction.  He had attended the University of Illinois for both his undergraduate and graduate education.

00:02:55	EH describes his job responsibilities as campus planner.  By the early 1980s, opportunities for expansion on campus were few and he focused on utilizing existing structures.

00:03:53	He assumed a leadership role in developing the research park project in 1981.  He simultaneously developed University Ridge golf course.

00:05:03	By 1984, the infrastructure of roads and utilities was in place for the research park.

00:05:54	EH assuaged the local community's concerns about the development by holding meetings and by creating a landscape buffer strip between the park and the adjacent neighborhoods.

00:08:58	He was also involved in discussions about a new zoning law designed specifically for the development of research parks.

00:10:57	Because the project started from zero budget, EH and his colleagues had to pursue the most cost-efficient plans for developing the landscape, which meant beginning close to Mineral Point Road.  The city pledged to maintain streets and utilities.

00:14:16	Developers had to be sensitive to numerous community, faculty, and staff interests.

00:15:40	He discusses his collaboration with City Hall. 

00:17:45	The city mandated that developers pay attention to storm water control; they used native vegetation in retention areas in order to allow water to remain in the soil.  This idea came from one of EH's colleagues, Jim Patchett.

00:22:37	He describes the planning mechanism by which he laid out the lot size and streets.  Most lots were between three and five acres.  Such planning was difficult because planners did not initially know which firms would be located there, and because firms were not always sure what size lot they required.

00:24:45	There was a requirement about the height of the buildings.  He talks about trying to maintain a good architectural profile.

00:26:49	Science Drive was extended southward in several stages to accommodate more construction.  Both the Rieder and the Charmany farms were involved in the initial master plan.

00:29:40	There was a plan for commercial development near Science Drive and Whitney Way, but no firms were interested.

00:30:02	End of side.

Tape 1/Side 2

00:30:16	Edward Hopkins continues to discuss the lack of interest in commercial development at the research park site.

00:32:03	The one thing lacking in the research park is a meeting place for lunch.

00:34:02	By 1984, EH was working exclusively on the research park and reporting to Wayne McGown.

00:36:25	He talks about the tower and the limitations it posed to developing the land.

00:38:15	Future development could occur at the corner of Tokay and Whitney Way.

00:39:45	He talks about the location of the Madison Metro transfer point.

00:40:54	The trade with CUNA for fifty-two acres financed the research park.

00:42:01	EH describes the research park's design review board, on which he serves.

00:45:38	He and Art Hove discuss the architecture and landscape of the research park.

00:48:22	Initially the staff included only EH, McGown, and Patty Spires-Merkel.

00:50:50	The park still has room for development along Mineral Point Road.

00:52:27	EH relates his satisfaction with his work on the research park.  He also talks about the stone gates at the entrance and some of the restrictions imposed on signs.

00:55:50	He and Art Hove discuss the bureaucratic delays imposed on construction projects.

00:57:12	He discusses the building of the Crew House.

01:00:26	End of side.  End of tape.

Tape 2/Side 1

01:01:00	Edward Hopkins unsuccessfully advocated the development of “green” buildings in the research park.

01:04:37	He thinks the lessons of building in the research park should be applied to building on campus.

01:07:21	EH describes his involvement in the expansion of the campus in the 1960s.  He participated in site planning for the UW Hospital.

01:13:00	EH and Art Hove talk about the development of a new research park.

01:14:32	End of side.  End of tape.  End of interview.

END