Major Campus Landscaping Project Underway Outside Hogan Center

New lawn, seating areas will beautify — and transform — busy ‘crossroads’ of campus

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Typically, the walkways outside the Hogan Campus Center and above the stairways leading to lower campus are crowded with students, staff, and faculty hurrying to classes, meetings, and other responsibilities.

The end of the academic year has cut down on the pedestrian traffic, but the scene has never been busier — or noisier. Bulldozers, tractors, and construction vehicles are at work on an extensive landscaping renovation project.

Excavation, roadway removal, new construction, and replanting throughout the summer will result in a beautiful new space designed to enhance opportunities for outdoor gatherings and student events.

A major component of the Campus Master Plan, the landscaping project’s centerpiece will be a sweeping new lawn. Surrounding the lawn will be curvilinear walks and a “seating wall” consisting of granite and brick. The area will also feature new energy efficient light emitting diodes (LEDs).

The project also involves removing the wooden “V” stairs between Memorial Plaza and Hogan Road, and replacing them with an attractive set of granite stairs.

Work began May 31, and is expected to be completed by mid-August. A fence surrounding the construction site has closed off the area between Dinand Library, Smith Hall and Hogan. Customary building entrances have also been closed during the construction. Alternate pedestrian routes are indicated on maps posted around campus, and visitors are encouraged to allow extra travel time to walk to destinations.

View the artist's rendering »

Watch construction of the landscaping renovation in real time via our webcam »