In the spring of 2007, when Prep contracted with the Manhattan architectural firm of Beyer Blinder Belle, one of the first steps in the creation of the master plan was to identify the “key issues” that Prep sought to address as part of this process. Through various meetings and discussions between the school administration and Beyer Blinder Belle, the following goals became the underpinning for the planning work that would lie ahead: 
 

• Identity: Strengthen campus identity in the neighborhood, and create a greater sense of visual and public access. 
• Sense of Place: Identify those areas on campus that exemplify and foster a sense of belonging, and create a “center of gravity” for all academic functions. 
• Efficiency of Existing Spaces: Maximize space to achieve optimum use, with ability for future growth. 
• Campus Organization and Circulation: Reorganize campus circulation to be clearer and more cohesive; identify locations for new buildings that will enhance campus organization and unify existing circulation patters. 
• Security: Limit the number of entry points into buildings on campus. 
• Neighborhood Cohesion: Reinforce pedestrian and visual links between the campus and the Paulus Hook neighborhood; identify and remediate “non-welcoming” edges of the campus. 
• Potential Development Sites: Identify locations for new development, as appropriate. 
• Sensible Design: Preserve the historic nature of the physical plant through the appropriate treatment of existing buildings and a compatible approach to new design.

Additionally, all construction will be part of a transition to a campus that is as “green” (environmentally friendly) as possible, including the most efficient use of energy and resources in all facilities.