The University’s new Walking Mall has run into a few snags since its inception.
The Walking Mall, a three-phase project designed to improve and unify the chief walkway of the campus, was scheduled for completion at summerÃs end. However, the torrential rains experienced in May and June have pushed back the completion date, said David McKenna, executive director of facilities management/support services at A&M-C.
The Walking Mall was a new addition to the Campus Master Plan, which A&M-C President Dr. Keith McFarland asked be revisited and revised, with the goal of moving vehicular traffic to the perimeter of the campus and pedestrian traffic to the interior.
Phase One of the project included repairing sidewalks and redoing the stamped concrete on each side of the walkway up to the Journalism building.
Phase Two began near the Education South building, where Phase One left off, and construction continued from there to the back of the Industrial Engineering and Agricultural Sciences building, ending at the crosswalk on University Drive.
Phase Three started where Phases One and Two met, from the benches under the oak tree adjacent to the sitting lion, and continued past the Halladay Student Services building to end at the James G. Library Parking lot. This phase also included renovation of the library steps leading from this walkway.
Completion of the Walking Mall was not the only thing affected by the weather. The new cement also experienced some difficulties due to our climate. Small imperfections in the concrete that McKenna refers to as ìstress fracturesî can be seen throughout the walkway. These fractures were caused by the heat and the way the cement compacts with the earth.
The fractures, or cracks, were anticipated by the University and are not going to be renovated. They will remain as tiny imperfections in the cement.
Once the three phases are completed Grounds Supervisor Gary Hendrix will begin looking at landscaping options. Planters have already been placed, with more on the way, in keeping with the continuous look of the area. Lighting has also been added to make the area less precarious for pedestrians trekking through the campus at night.
“It’ll really create a nice look and interior pathway through campus that I think will look great,” McKenna said.
There are some ideas being tossed around in regards to an opening for the Walking Mall but any celebrations will be held later in the semester, said Linda King, administrative assistant to the president.
Either way, within three to four weeks students should have a new and improved area in which to make the arduous task of traveling back and forth to class more pleasant, in addition to being more secure.