Purdue News
Purdue News
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August 18, 2000 Some summer construction projects nearing completionWEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – As the new academic year begins Monday (8/21) on Purdue University's West Lafayette campus, students, faculty and staff who have been away over the summer should be alert to ongoing construction projects that may have an impact on pedestrian, bicycle and vehicular traffic in the early days and weeks of the new school year. "Contracting crews have been busy over the summer with a wide range of renovation and beautification projects," said John Collier, Purdue landscape architect. "Some projects have had delays. Others are on schedule. As the campus population swells with the start of classes, we encourage the Purdue community to be patient and understanding as we wrap up these projects, all aimed at beautification, accessibility, and future infrastructure and power needs." Collier noted these projects in particular: • Class of 1949 Special Places Garden at the base of the Purdue Bell Tower – fencing will be adjusted to allow north-south pedestrian traffic, and the drive in front of the Engineering Administration Building will be open by Monday. The bulk of the site construction and nearby Sinninger Pond renovation should be completed by Sept. 1. • Memorial Mall Drive renovation – a new bus drop-off area will be located at the west end of Stewart Center as the drive becomes one-way northbound for vehicles. The current southbound lane will become a two-way bicycle lane. The bus drop-off and one-way northbound routing should be completed by Sept. 8. The anticipated completion date for the bike lane is Oct. 20. The project is part of the Class of 1951 Memorial Mall renovation initiative. Construction will stop during the annual Engineering Round Table on the Memorial Mall, Sept. 10-15. • University Hall spire and roof restoration – a new steel-skeleton spire for the oldest building on campus is being fabricated in front of the building. The original spire and roof, damaged in a December 1998 windstorm, are being restored. The project is ahead of schedule and should be completed in November. • Cary Quadrangle renovation – part of Spitzer Court is fenced off through October for construction of an electrical vault to accommodate future electrical needs for the long-term renovation of Cary. Construction fencing east of Cary East along North University Drive will remain through next spring. • Vawter Field development – new basketball and tennis courts are being constructed near the Recreational Sports Center to replace the courts displaced by Aquatic Center construction. Also, work is under way on the extension of the parking lot east of Wiley Hall. Contract work for both should be completed on schedule by mid-September. • Electrical Engineering Building electrical upgrade – new feeder and switchgear at the back of the building is to accommodate power needs. Brickwork should be completed by Monday, and pedestrians will have through access. Paving should be completed by mid-September. Additional bike racks have been placed around the EE building to offset those displaced by the project. CONTACT: Collier, (765) 494-6882; jdcollier@purdue.edu
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