When author Leo Aikman uttered the words “The shortest distance between two points is under construction,” he very well could have been talking about the Danforth Campus.
He wasn’t, but when one takes into account the recently completed construction projects, the projects now underway and the projects slated to begin soon, it sort of makes sense.
There are four major construction projects on the Danforth Campus right now: the Central Underground Parking Garage, University Center, Social Sciences/Law building and Steinberg Hall renovation.
The Underground Parking Garage will add 535 parking places on three underground levels. The lower two levels will be open this fall, but the uppermost level will not be ready for parking because the University Center construction will have started. University Center is slated to be built on top of the garage and is scheduled to be completed by July 2008.
The Social Sciences/Law building is expected to be complete by June 2008 and should be ready for occupancy by fall 2008.
Steinberg Hall’s renovation also is on the fast track, as the auditorium will be ready for use this fall.
But those projects barely scratch the surface of what’s to come. In upcoming months, additions, renovations and construction to roadways and walkways will abound.
The temporary parking lot just north of Simon Hall will be removed immediately after Commencement, and by fall, the area will be green space as it was before the lot was installed.
In May, construction will begin on a residence hall east of Millbrook Square Apartments at the corner of Throop Drive and Forest Park Parkway, adding about 152 beds in apartment-style living mainly for upperclassmen. This is a continuation of the ongoing goal of renovating or replacing the residence halls during the next four to five years.
In terms of renovation, both Goldfarb Hall and Mudd/Park Residential College are undergoing upgrades. Goldfarb — home of the George Warren Brown School of Social Work — will have its lobby renovation completed this summer. When finished, Goldfarb Hall will have a main front door as well as a much-needed community space.
Renovations to Mudd/Park will add 57 beds to Park Residence Hall. When this renovation is done, the buildings will be similar to the newer residential college-model residence halls.
The University recently acquired a building at 560 Trinity Ave., tentatively called the 560 Building. During the summer, the building will be developed as additional space for the Department of Music and the Performing Arts Department, both in Arts & Sciences. The building houses the 1,115-seat E. Desmond Lee Concert Hall — larger than anything on campus.
In terms of roadwork, a right-turn lane from Forsyth Boulevard onto Skinker Boulevard will be added, the crosswalk on Forsyth by Mallinckrodt Student Center will be improved and the intersection of Skinker and Lindell Boulevard will be redone this summer to provide optimal views of the campus and Brookings Hall for those heading west on Lindell.
Additionally, the pedestrian bridge over Forest Park Parkway will be completed so it will be both functional and aesthetic. Attempts to minimize impact include doing most of the work at night, although pedestrians may be re-routed temporarily.