A Community charrette, or public planning meeting, met Tuesday to discuss future plans for the Mumford House, 1403 West Lorado Taft Drive in Urbana, at the University’s ACES Library.

Vinci-Hamp Architects Inc. opened the meeting with a presentation highlighting the history and current condition of Mumford House. The company also presented possible uses for the house if renovations were to happen, including residential housing, office space or museum space.

“What is done with the house will be contingent on funding,” said Melvyn Skvarla, architect for Facilities and Services. “If it’s used for anything other than residential housing, it’s going to be very expensive.”

The Mumford House, erected in 1870, is the oldest building on campus. It housed several college deans, including Dean Herbert Mumford of the College of ACES for over thirty years during the early 1900s.

Dennis Roberts, alderman for Ward 5 for the Urbana City Council, said it is key to restore the site.

“It is extremely important that this house is preserved and restored because this house, along with the Morrill Plot, are the origins of this university,” Roberts said.

The Morrill Land Grant Act of 1862 established the Morrill Plot, which was intended to teach modern agriculture skills to students, Roberts said.

Five ideas were proposed for the future of Mumford House at the meeting. One such proposal was a hybrid scheme where part of the house would be a museum and the other part would be residential. The ground level would be converted into an exhibit allowing public access two or three times a week. A visiting professor would live in the other part of the house for an undetermined period of time.

The house would not serve as a hotel, said Philip Hamp, FAIA Principal at Vinci-Hamp Architects.

Another idea proposed that the first floor of the house would be used for office space. With this plan, the second floor would remain unoccupied.

A second hybrid idea was suggested with offices on the first floor and residents on the second floor.

Another proposition would turn the house into a visitor’s center, including a museum and a coffee shop. The final proposition would turn the house into a student lounge. This plan would also include a coffee shop.

“The architecture students would greatly appreciate some sort of cafe closer to our buildings and open later than the Espresso Royale in the Undergraduate Library due to the long hours we spend in our buildings,” said Michelle Zupancic, junior in FAA, regarding the student lounge plan.

Those present were invited to take place in a vote held at the end of the meeting. The first hybrid scheme, proposing a museum and residential space, earned the most votes.

Martha Bell, a subconsultant for Vinci-Hamp Architects, said she was happy with the outcome.

“I think we got a lot of really great ideas today,” said Martha Bell, a subconsultant for Vinci-Hamp Architects. “Whatever develops out of this, we’ll need support.”

The ultimate decision on the future of the Mumford House will be made by the Board of Trustees at a November meeting.