Library landscape project to add greenery

A new landscaping project will eliminate some on-campus parking but should provide GC&SU students with comfortable outdoor space in return.

Project Manager Mark Bowen has managed the Russell Library landscaping project for the last four years and said that the expansion of the original landscape design will include more green space on campus.

The project will encompass the area south of the GC&SU Library between Chappell Hall, Russell Auditorium and Parks Hall and extend south to Clarke Street and east to MSU. “(The project will provide) a really nice area for people to come sit outside when the weather is nice, plus it provides a nice thoroughfare for people on campus,” Bowen said.

Plans for the project include new sidewalks, a cafe area with picnic tables, shrubbery, trees and a grassy area.

Bowen said that the caf? and seating areas will be convenient for Books & Brew customers, who will be able to access the area from the south side of the library.

Most of the campus parking lot off of Clarke Street will be eliminated, with only four handicapped spaces and five visitor spaces set to remain. Decreasing the number of already scarce parking spaces is cause for concern for some students.

Johnathan Winters, a senior mass communication major, doesn’t think that the new space justifies the parking loss.

“I don’t think it’s a very good idea. The last thing you need is less parking,” Winters said.

The contractors for the project, Garbutt Construction of Dublin, GA, have moved into an on-site office trailer that occupies part of the Clarke Street parking lot and have begun to erect fencing. Although fences and other barricades will restrict access to the area, Bowen says that handicapped access to the buildings will be maintained. Students are asked to find alternate routes to class and make other arrangements for parking.

“We will be sensitive to the needs of students while trying to keep people out of harm’s way,” Bowen said.

Other student reactions to the project are mixed.

John Gay, an international business major, said that he might miss the parking spaces once they’re gone.

“Sometimes I get lazy and drive to (Sodexho),” Gay, a freshman, said. “But (the area will) will definitely look better.”

Jill Huddleston, a junior psychology major, thinks students will benefit from the project.

“I think that’s great. It’s better than a parking lot that nobody really uses,” Huddleston said. “Usually it’s blocked off.”

The project is scheduled to be completed in February.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Oct 7 2005. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry