The University’s landscape project manager focuses on both the natural and built environments.
On a sunny morning outside Case-Geyer Library, Katy Jacobs is checking the master list on her clipboard to verify tree tag numbers. Across upper campus, 200 trees are being planted as a tribute to the Bicentennial. This spring, 41 trees — including oaks, maples, beeches, elms, spruces, and pines — were planted throughout the Residential and Academic quads and along the hillside at Case Library. An additional 28 are planned for this fall.
As Colgate’s new landscape project manager, Jacobs is handling all of the moving parts, including coordinating demo pits for the Hamilton Department of Public Works, verifying utility markouts, and working with an outside landscape contractor.
In her role, Jacobs will be developing plans to help sustain and enhance both the natural and built environments on campus. So when she arrived in February, Jacobs began familiarizing herself with Colgate — touring the campus, reading up on storm water systems, and analyzing pedestrian patterns and parking. “We’re hoping to streamline circulation with the cars and, while doing that, create better gateways and safer passage for pedestrians,” Jacobs says.
In addition, she’s been looking through past projects and plans in order to assess the campus landscape history. “I’ve been trying to understand what the repeat issues are and to think about creative ways to solve those issues,” Jacobs says. “The topography of campus makes for a lot of beautiful opportunities and challenges when it comes to what we want to do on-site.”
Prior to Colgate, Jacobs was responsible for several large projects in Syracuse: developing a campus master plan for Le Moyne College, designing a sustainable site for the Cherry Road Elementary School, and serving as prime consultant and site designer for the elephant pool at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo.
Jacobs is a registered landscape architect and LEED green associate.