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The Lois B. DeFleur Walkway is getting a makeover.

�������� recently began an ongoing construction project to repair the well-frequented area known as “the Spine.”

One of many similar construction projects on campus, this area between the University Union, Technology Hub and Engineering Building — also called the Plaza Deck — was prioritized for several reasons, but the primary among them is safety.

“The pavers are moving, so for handicap accessibility and tripping hazards, we’ve had to close off the area, pick the stones up, clean it all away, put the sand bed down, and then put the stones back to level them out,” said Robert Langhans, the project coordinator. “That was just days and weeks’ worth of time doing that, over and over again. That became the paramount issue.”

Other reasons for the changes include disability accommodation, as well as an opportunity to make the area less “sterile” with vegetation. The new plan will also attempt to remedy a draining issue, which has worn away many of the stones — especially during the winter, when salt and snow make a “slurry mix” that ponds in usually walkable areas.

“The second objective was to add more green space to the two areas. When you go in front of the University Union, it’s a large gathering place, all hardscapes,” Langhans said. “We’re adding accessibility to the main thoroughfares, adding more trees and bushes and landscaping.”

Kicked off in June 2024, the project is marked by milestones. The current phase — which will repair the walkways themselves from years of water/snow damage and secure the paving stones in place — will take the rest of the year, though the area will remain under construction until 2025. The construction team hopes to complete as much as they can before December, in anticipation of any major snowstorms.

The emphasis is going to be on working as long as they can, depending on the weather. We could get 10 inches of snow in late October, or we could go all the way to January, with little dustings here and there,” said Langhans, who has been with the University for 27 years and has helped build many of its well-known buildings. “They can continue to work until it gets to a certain temperature and components need to be heated, which makes it more complicated. You end up creating problems by trying to continue.”

The renderings for the project include newly patterned and waterproofed paving using a three-quarter-inch thick plastic drainage mat, as well as a circular focal point with greenery and sculptural elements (For example, a bronze bearcat sculpture will welcome visitors). Certain areas will be grass while others are AstroTurf, to allow for a mixture of umbrellas, benches, raised stone sitting areas, lights and trees in the area. They hope to get people back into the space as soon as possible.

“We will phase occupancy as we go along, based on how far we can proceed this year, if we can get to a certain point where the majority of the project is done,” Langhans said. “The lighting, the walkways themselves, have to be completed before even looking at the plantings.”

Due to the area’s proximity to the �������� community, Langhans and his team are also actively managing the space to protect passersby. Although they can’t avoid heavy construction in the area, he says, they try to do it as quickly as possible and use safety measures, like fabric-covered fencing, to reduce exposure.

Though the project will take time, those involved in the design and implementation are hopeful that it will bring new life to the spaces.

“Landscape architects were extensively involved, and my job is to look at it and oversee it from a global perspective,” Langhans said. “I make recommendations and actively look for issues and problems, to try to get those resolved ahead of time. Altogether, hopefully, the new plan will allow better drainage as was intended, and the space will be beautiful again!”