Concord to become more ADA compliant

Fluorescent caution tape and bright yellow CAT equipment is creating a more ADA acces- sible Campus Beautiful this se- mester. With $500,000 from a state funded ADA grant, which the University was required to match, the campus is seeing up to one million dollars in ADA renovations.

Some of the work, like a more easily accessible child drop off area and a safer side- walk at the day care center, was completed over the summer. The campus still has a long way to go though, according to Rick Dillon, Vice President of Administration and Associ- ate Dean of Students. He is the coordinator of the project and anticipated its completion by November 1 this year.

Much of the renovating will be done to two of the parking lots on campus. Lot 15, the commuter lot across from Sarvay where the bus

stop is located, will see four new ADA accessible parking spots as well as an updated crosswalk and new sloped sidewalks. The student lot that is located directly in front of Sarvay is being updated, too. The old bushes that lined the lot have been removed and the lot extended to provide extra parking, as well as the small

lawn and trees that will be removed and replanted else- where. The sidewalk in front of the Bonner House will also be extended to connect with the existing sidewalk in front of the Student Center. New landscaping will be added to provide a safety barrier and a little greenery.

The Fine Arts Building is also getting an update. While there have been improvements to the Art side of the build- ing, the music and theatre side remains somewhat an ADA nightmare. The rooftop will be getting a ramp that begins inside the building and extends to the new rooftop seating area. Other additions to the building include the handicap accessible door that will be in- stalled at the ground floor en- trance facing the Rahall build- ing and a drainage system to divert a ponding situation.

Additional campus updates include a raised crosswalk from the sidewalk near Rahall to Wooddell Hall and a new culvert system to divert water away from the lake that seems to crop up whenever it rains.

Students will be kept up- to-date via their MyCU email when various parts of campus are being affected by the reno- vations and are on restricted access. Hopefully by the time snow hits, all campus routes will be construction-free.