The Contraband

Issue date: 11/16/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Dan Cutrer / The Contraband The Quad as seen from the Studen Union. The Quad is the center of most student activities at McNeese State.

In January of next year students of McNeese are going to find themselves in the middle of an important rebirth and renovation of an integral part of campus. The Campus Development Committee is currently speaking to contractors about a project with a number of sweeping improvements for the quad area, and is going to begin accepting bids as early as December 1st.

The project, which includes improvements to lighting, sidewalks, landscaping, benches and receptacles, drainage systems, and the addition of a new outdoor stage, will begin as soon as plans, budgets, and other specifics are worked out with the chosen contractor. The project is expected to last for eight months, but this estimation is tentative depending on weather conditions and the availability of funds.

The quad has not had any renovations since 1984, around the same time when the Burton Business Center was built. Richard Rhoden, director of the university's Facilities and Plant Operations department and faculty head of the Campus Development Committee, has noted that the improvements made to the quad at that time, specifically the gravel walkways, had a less than desirable outcome, as the gravel pathways tend to be rather hard on students walking to classes and students who use wheel chairs.

The sidewalks themselves are going to be broadened and covered with colored concrete pavers. This is also expected to raise the sidewalks and prevent flooding during heavy rains, to the tremendous relief of all of us students who have had to sprint from Farrar Hall to Kaufman Hall in the middle of a downpour while shin deep in water. During the sidewalk renovations, decorative improvements to the quad's lighting will also be made for a greater aesthetic experience.

There will be both hardscape and softscape improvements added to the general scenery of the quad. Additional benches and receptacles, which will comprise the hardscape features, will be placed throughout the quad to encourage students to spend more time outdoors and enjoy the new improvements. Various new plants in and around the quad area will comprise the softscape features.

A big concern for many students, faculty, and alumni is the preservation of the campus's many trees. Most of the trees are going to be spared from the chainsaw, but some will be removed during the renovations. A damaged oak near Kaufman Hall will be replaced with another tree just east of the smoking area next to the Union Annex. The Japanese Yews next to Kaufman will also be removed and replaced with new plants. Mr. Rhoden believes a couple of pines may need to be removed as well.

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