David Duffy has retired after 22 years at the UA, and although his name may not be familiar, odds are you are currently in or near his work as you read this article.
As director of campus and facilities planning for 18 of the past 22 years, Duffy planned and budgeted 81 campus projects including the Student Union Memorial Center, the Manuel T. Pacheco Integrated Learning Center, the Highland Commons, the Student Recreation Center and La Paz Residence Hall.
His work has spanned more than 7 million square feet and cost roughly $1.8 billion.
“”Our goal was connecting people with people and students with the facility,”” Duffy said. “”It’s all about the students.””
When he first arrived on campus as an urban designer, he described McKale Center as looking like a spaceship that had just landed on campus, out of place with no relation to the environment.
He knew the campus needed to spend more effort on reviewing campus design.
“”I wanted to respect architecture and open space,”” Duffy said, adding that he wanted to connect the new buildings to the old.
Although Duffy is an Arizona State University graduate, he feels he succeeded with his goals for the UA campus, unlike ASU’s, which he called “”disconnected and incoherent.””
One of Duffy’s most ambitious projects was the transformation of the UA Mall, building the underground ILC.
“”They told me I would ruin the (UA) Mall,”” Duffy said, “”but students have benefited with the connection to the library. It was a great project.””
For the future, students should expect an expansion to the recreation center, and a new main gate at North Campbell Avenue and East Third Street.
“”There’s not even a sign there right now,”” he said, excited about the project he pitched to the Arizona Board of Regents.
A new trolley system should be available in two years, when a rail streetcar will help students travel to and around campus, he said.
Also, at the west end of the Mall, east of Old Main, a “”Founders Plaza”” is in the works to honor the three founding members of the UA.
Finally, he foresaw “”more dorms to come.””
“”These projects take years to plan and fund,”” he said.
The university held a reception last week to honor Duffy. Attendees included Joel Valdez, senior vice president of business affairs, as well as representatives from a variety of business, design and administrative offices on campus.
“”The man is leaving, but he has left his mark,”” Valdez said.
