The Oakland Post

Campus construction projects conclude; more begin

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Construction, as if it is not already prominent enough all over the state of Michigan, will still be affecting students on campus going into fall semester at a lesser magnitude than anticipated.

“We started in May with a lot of different jobs to do, and everything is on schedule,” said Terry Stollsteimer, associate vice president of facilities management.

The sidewalks near Elliot Hall have been rebuilt with four inches added to them, making the sidewalks a total of 10-feet wide.  Seating was added to the stone structures that are around Kresge Library.

“Students used to sit on the tops of them, but now there is stable seating available,” Stollsteimer said.
Students can also expect to see a lot of work being done on Wilson Blvd., where construction for the High Temperature Hot Water (HTHW) project will continue until its October deadline.

“The north side of Wilson Blvd. will be closed down before school starts, and then they are going to open the south side of the road,” Stollsteimer said.

The sidewalk from North Foundation Hall will be open to the OC and to Wilson Hall. There will also be a temporary dirt road to P-2 and a sidewalk through it for construction. The roads will be watered frequently to keep the dust down.

In an effort to promote the usage of P-11, a shuttle bus has been arranged to transport students back and forth from O’Dowd. There will be signage on M-59, directing students to the Adams Road exit for a detour to OU. The Oakland County Police Department has offered to help direct traffic at the Adam’s entrance as well.

Although a majority of the construction has been completed, there are still a few different projects that will be completed after school is in session.

Two different projects have been proposed for the roundabout at the main campus entrance, one for a half-wall and the other a brass statue of Matilda Wilson.

“Once the board of trustees decides which project we’re going to do, we’ll plant the trees accordingly,” Stollsteimer said. “I’d like to have the trees planted in late September.”

Plans have also been made to build a new UTSIT computer room next to O’Dowd that will add capacity and enhance security.

OU has partnered with DTE and installed new lampposts that have energy-efficient CPL white light bulbs that will cut down energy costs. This partnership makes the school a DTE test site for other people to come and visit.

The OUSC is in the process of creating a plaza on the north side of Kresge, which will be completely funded by the organization. Along with a kiosk used to display fliers, OUSC plans on adding hammocks to the area to make it a study spot.

John Beaghan, vice president for finance and administration and treasurer to the board of trustees, said that students will be informed of all happenings on campus.

“Prior to the beginning of the fall semester, multiple communication vehicles will be used to keep students informed; website, email, signage,” said Beaghan. ”In addition, we will have temporary overflow parking at the upper playing fields and near Pioneer and Meadow Brook Road.”

Parking in various parking lots on campus has been expanded, and a new parking lot has been created at the corner of Pioneer and Library Drive. The Bear Bus will be available to help students around campus without having to cough up a parking spot. OUPD and Facilities Management staff will be on cue to direct students as well.

“Mostly, I’m looking forward to the extra overflow parking lot off of Pioneer Drive,” Senior Communications major, Horatiu Zglembia said. “With all the new returning students, I’m excited to finally get some more parking spaces to maybe ease all the congestion.”

Although there will still be some construction going on once students return to school, the majority of it will have been completed before fall semester begins on Sept. 2.