 |
CONSTRUCTION SET-UP: A construction staging
area for the new science
complex is set up near Mark Jefferson. The blue areas represent the actual
construction site; the green is for vehicle access; and the yellow areas
are
pedestrian routes. A number of temporary protective measures related
to
to parking, delivery access and pedestrian access will remain in place
until
construction concludes. |
Finals may have recently ended for Eastern Michigan University
students, but the physical plant is now cramming a bit
in preparation for construction of the new science complex.
After fall finals, contractors for the Science Complex
project began preparing the site for the start of construction
activities. These activities include the relocation of
underground utilities and the addition to the west side
of the existing Mark Jefferson Science Building. Over the
holiday break, construction fencing, gates and temporary
barricades were placed to separate the construction area
from public parking areas and pedestrian routes. Safety,
barrier-free parking, and way finding signage will be
installed as part of this work.
"We are taking the time between the fall and winter
semesters to start site prep, which includes the installation
of site fencing, parking modifications and other site activities
in preparation for utility work starting in early 2009,"
said Scott Storrar, manager,
facilities planning and construction. "Current pedestrian
and traffic patterns will be modified due to the construction,
and we felt this would be a more appropriate time for these
changes than mid-semester to transition the campus community."
Vehicle parking in the South Oakwood Lot and the McKenny
Guest Lot will continue with modifications. A portion of
the McKenny Guest Lot will be reserved for contractor trailers,
material lay-down and construction deliveries. Barrier-free
parking spaces will be created in the South Oakwood Lot
and McKenny Guest Lot to accommodate those areas impacted
by the construction site fencing. Pavement striping will
identify pedestrian crosswalks for barrier-free access
to the campus.
Pedestrian access to the west side of Mark Jefferson and
Strong Hall will be impacted during the construction period.
A temporary pedestrian walkway shall be erected along the
east side of the South Oakwood Lot between parking areas
and the construction fence. The ADA handicap-assist entry
door, located at the northeast side of Mark Jefferson,
will remain in operation.
Within the Mark Jefferson building, the stairwells at
the northeast and southeast corners of the building will
remain in operation for all floors, and as a means of emergency
egress. The stairwells at the northwest and southwest corners
of the building will remain in operation for all floors,
but not as a means of emergency egress.
Delivery access to the west side of Mark Jefferson and
Strong Hall will be impacted during the construction period.
Temporary delivery access to both buildings will be from
the sidewalk area north of Strong Hall along West Circle
Drive. The ground floor entrance at the northwest side
of Strong Hall will remain accessible. The delivery access
to Mark Jefferson shall be made via the tunnel connecting
Strong Hall.
These temporary protective measures were expected to be
in place prior to the commencement of the Winter 2009 semester
classes. They will remain in place until the completion
of the addition. For more information, contact Storrar
at 487-3591 or sstorrar@emich.edu.
— Ron Podell contributed to this report.
