New construction project continues at Roo Plaza

Construction continues for a new Roo Plaza lighting project on 51st Street and is expected to continue into March. 

  The project, being done by the contractor Nabholz Construction, is expected to be completed by mid-March. There will be intermittent accessibility delays, but details are being worked out. 

  This is the first major project in the area since the grand opening of the plaza in April of last year. Many students report not using the area due to the recent cold weather. 

The plan is for the area to remain accessible, except for the days when the lights have to be raised on to their bases. However, since students may have no other way through if they need access, they can ask the crews to pause, according to Amy Schaefer, a project manager in Planning, Design and Construction on campus.

  Some students also feel that increased lighting would make it safer to walk on campus at night.

“That’s actually really nice,” said Ella Boote, a freshman biology major. “A day or two ago I was walking back from the library down this road (at night) and I kept checking behind me to make sure nobody was following me. I guess that lights would help with that.” 

At one point early on in the process students were shocked to see water flooding the area. This was because of a miscommunication on the placement of a fire line and was repaired by Spire energy. 

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