Construction not to be high 'U' priority

PAUL TALANIAN/Daily The corner of Hill and State streets is torn up due to construction of the former Sig Epps fraternity building, which burned down two years ago.

Many students have come to accept University construction projects as a fact of life.

But with major projects like the new School of Social Work building tapering off, however, University officials say construction work will no longer be a high priority.

Such news is a welcome relief to students who say they're sick of the commotion.

"I think it's absolutely outrageous, especially during the summer," said LSA senior Kari Goldman. "This summer, you had to walk around the whole campus just to cross the Diag, and last year East (University Avenue) was all torn up."

However, Goldman noted some improvement from the summer construction.

"I'm impressed now. This is the first time I've been on campus where there wasn't construction everywhere," Goldman said. "I never thought it would be like this, after how much construction there was two years ago."

David Stockson, manager of the University's architectual services, said University President Lee Bollinger's plans do not focus on buildings and renovations as much as his predecessors'.

"Lee Bollinger made it clear that his administration wasn't going to be as materially productive as President (James) Duderstadt's," Stockson said.

Lisa Baker, associate vice president for University relations, noted that under former President James Duderstadt, $10 billion in new construction had been spent over the past two years. Baker said there wasn't much left to do.

"President Bollinger will focus more on the master planning for the campus, and on how to fit that in with the living-learning environment," Baker said.

Future University projects, including large-scale renovations of Hill Auditorium, the Frieze Building and the Dental School's Kellogg Building, depend on the state giving $90 million for the work, said Robert Meske, a project engineer.

University Planner Fred Mayer said most upcoming projects are not scheduled to begin until spring or summer.

"Except for the Dental School, there's not a lot happening for the fall and winter," Mayer said.

Construction at the School of Social Work's new home should be finished by late November, said an official with Ellis-Don Construction Company, the project's contractor. The new school will open for use in January.

"I'm excited, because as an undergraduate, I watched all this construction going on, and now something is finally being built for us," said Social Work first-year graduate student Andi Polze.

One project that is of special concern to some students is the newly renovated Diag. Along with the temporary absence of the bronze "M," there have also been yellow ropes around the lawn areas to prohibit any use of these green spaces where students often tossed Frisbees or soaked up some rays while studying.

"I think it could have been done a lot sooner if they had used that green spray instead of the sod," RC senior Willie Northway said. "I'm pretty sure that the carpet grass is just for appearances, so it would look better for the returning students."

An employee at the University Grounds and Waste Management office, who asked that his name not be used, said the ropes would be taken down "in the spring, to protect the turf."

Engineering senior Tim White said he approved of the prohibitive measures.

"I'm a former landscape worker, and 40,000 students walking across that new sod would kill it," White said.

Some projects are still in the works, however:

-- A parking lot is planned for the corner of Hill Street and South State Street.

-- Renovations on the Burton Memorial Tower are near completion.

-- New lamp posts will be erected throughout campus.

-- The recently begun Sam Wylie Hall, a law school administration building, on the corner of East University Avenue and Hill Street.

09-19-97