Too many cars, over-crowded parking lots and roads lackingsidewalks are all familiar associations with Universitytransportation.
But in correlation with the University Master Plan, the Officeof Campus Planning is widening sidewalks, lighting pathways andpaving new biking routes to make getting around campus easier.
Jason Soileau, assistant director for facility development forthe Office of Campus Planning, is overseeing many of theconstruction projects, and said the University is making aconcerted effort to push parking to the outer perimeters of campusand get students and faculty walking instead.
“The University has such a beautiful and historic campus,”Soileau said. “We want to attempt to provide some safe pedestriancorridors.”
Last year campus planning completed a paved walkway linkingNicholson Drive to the Office of Public Safety Building.
Campus planning will begin construction on phase two of theproject this year, connecting the building to CEBA Lane, Soileausaid.
The University allocated $200,000 for phase two of theproject.
Safety is one of the University’s main reasons for pedestrianimprovements.
Soileau said no safe routes exist around CEBA Lane and NicholsonDrive.
“People are forced to walk in the streets,” he said.
Campus planning is also using money from “Enhancing the Core” tofund specific projects within the central area of campus.
Enhancing the Core is a fund designed to put $1 from everyfootball season ticket sold toward maintaining and improvingoutdoor projects.
Enhancing the Core funded the Greek Theatre and Free SpeechAlley improvements — both completed this past year. The fund alsois covering the $200,000 to $250,000 cost of current constructionin between Coates and David Boyd Halls.
Dennis Mitchell, a University landscape architect, said theCoates Hall area is one of the most utilized walkways on campus,but a constant conflict between the parking lot and the walkwaymade it difficult for students to get through.
In August, students will return to a lit and widened sidewalkthat is set apart from the parking lot.
Mitchell said the Enhancing the Core fund came about three yearsago when the Athletic Department and the University wanted to dosomething to protect the oak trees from tailgaters.
“An effort was made to bring in the right fill material, whichallowed the roots to grow and retain moisture,” Mitchell said. “Itbrought the health back to the trees.”
Mitchell said the University then decided to set aside the moneyevery year.
“The ticket sales put more money back into the campus,” he said.”But also if the Tigers do well, more people come in and put alarger burden on the campus.”
Continuing with the plans to make the University more gearedtoward pedestrians, Mitchell said Campus Planning is developingideas for parking garages on the outer edges of campus.
“We want to introduce more green space, so [campus] has a moreattractive, park-like setting,” Mitchell said.
Pedestrian Pathways
June 21, 2004