As part of a larger collaboration, Marquette Student Government and the university are looking to support a study to determine the feasibility of converting a local playground into green space intended to benefit the whole community.

The plot of land in question, Norris Playground, is a full city block bordered by West State Street to the north, West Kilbourn Avenue to the south, North 19th Street to the west and North 18th Street to the east. It currently has an asphalt surface and chain-link fence and is owned by the City of Milwaukee.

Developing the playground into green space is a suggestion that was made in the Near West Side Comprehensive Plan. According to Mike Maierle, long-range planning manager of the Milwaukee Department of City Planning, comprehensive plans are "intended to promote and guide development of Milwaukee neighborhoods."

The Near West Side Comprehensive Plan is scheduled to appear before the Milwaukee Common Council for official approval on March 19. The plan includes several catalytic projects meant to encourage additional neighborhood development, one of which is Norris Playground, Maierle said.

Carol Winkel, director of community relations, said the university is included among neighborhood stakeholders. Along with Marquette, the Avenues West Association, Marquette University High School, the West End Development Corporation, the City of Milwaukee, residents, landlords, community leaders and local business owners have attended meetings to discuss neighborhood improvement.

The stakeholders are starting to look at consulting firms to conduct a feasibility study of the land, Winkel said. The study would determine the cost to convert the park to green space and define the market for the park — namely, to make sure the new area would benefit all community members, including Marquette.

"The university has decided it is important to commit to being involved in this process," Winkel said.

If the results of the feasibility study encourage further involvement it is not yet known who will administer and maintain the plot of land, according to Winkel.

MUSG has also shown its interest in becoming involved, according to senior Jeff Hulbert, a senator for the College of Arts & Sciences. Hulbert authored a bill to financially support the feasibility study as well as to ensure MUSG's future involvement.

The bill, which the senate unanimously approved last week, will allocate up to $2,500 to funding the feasibility study and advocates for the university to show its support as well. Winkel said that the university will financially support the feasibility study.

"I've been here four years, and it's one of those spots where you walk by and ask, 'What's there?'" Hulbert said. Adding more green space "is a way to profoundly and dramatically effect the culture and overall quality of life."

Marquette would also directly benefit from obtaining additional green space, Hulbert said, and possibly club sports would as well. With the upcoming construction on the Marquette Interchange, club sports will lose practice space below the interchange.

Winkel said the property being lost is east of Lot M, which the university will also lose in the construction.

Hulbert's bill is the work of the Student Life committee, of which Hulbert is the chair. As rationale for supporting a feasibility study, Hulbert cites the recent and growing trend for students to move to farther north and west of campus, near Norris Playground.

"Everyone's needs will hopefully be met" if the playground is improved, Hulbert said. "Being next to a park is more alluring than living next to a dark, chain-link fenced lot."

Hulbert said even though it is not yet certain the playground will be improved, MUSG is getting involved now to solidify student interest in the project, especially since there is a high turnover rate of student involvement.