The Triangle

Issue date: 1/9/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Aaron Walizer

Media Credit: Aaron Walizer

Due to ongoing construction on campus, students, staff and faculty are learning new routes to get to classes and work on campus.

During the winter term, four projects will be underway and two new projects will begin construction.

The 34th Street Residence Hall, Recreation Center, Queen Lane Addition and 219 N. Broad St. building will be under construction, and the North Mall and Drexel Dining Terrace will begin phase one of construction, according to James Katsaounis, executive director and senior vice president of Student Life and Administrative Services.

Construction on the North Mall, which will connect the area around the freshman dorms and provide more green space, will begin with the installation of pavers along Race Street between 33rd and 34th streets.

"The University received official approval for the future closing of Race Street from the City of Philadelphia on Nov. 5, 2008, when the bill was signed by the mayor," Katsaounis said.

The two houses next to the Race Street Residence Hall were demolished Dec. 22-24, after which the ground was graded and fine seeded. According to Katsaounis, preparation for the demolition, including the removal of salvageable items, environmental work, and recycling of materials began during the first few weeks of December.

Construction for the North Mall will begin at 33rd Street and stretch to 34th Street, the site of the dining terrace. The dining terrace is projected to open in September 2009, according to Katsaounis.

The University is benefiting from the economic crisis, Katsaounis said.

"With less construction now happening in the Philadelphia region, the University has been able to obtain better bids for work associated with each of the projects. Any realized savings are helping the University keep the projects within budget," Katsaounis said.

For students looking to find out which sidewalks will be open throughout the term, the side walk in front of the Mario statue is projected to open in another week, weather permitting, according to Katsaounis. The sidewalks that were closed for the steam line replacement along 33rd Street between Market and Arch streets will reopen by the end of February.

Construction on the 34th Street Residence Hall is currently ahead of schedule, while the Recreational Center remains on schedule.

Katsaounis also said that access to the Korman quad area from Chestnut Street will remain closed for at least two years during the construction of the Integrated Sciences Building.

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