The University Place promenade is on track to be completed a week before classes start for the Fall 2016 semester despite an initial delay when construction first started in May.

The controversial project was delayed a few weeks after students, staff and faculty protested the promenade and the Syracuse University administration’s lack of transparency about the project. Even with the delay, the university estimated the project would be finished before the start of the fall semester. With an Aug. 22 completion date, the project is on schedule, said Pete Sala, vice president and chief campus facilities officer at Syracuse University, in a weekly construction update email.

Sala also said that roads around the SU campus will start to reopen as construction projects are completed. Waverly and Comstock avenues will reopen on Aug. 15 and Van Buren Street will open on Aug. 8 after it was shut down for electrical infrastructure updates at the Brewster/Boland/Brockway (BBB) Complex.

Renovations in DellPlain, Flint and Haven halls are also set to be finished next as well as improvements to classrooms around campus. Classrooms will be getting updated technology, new seating, carpeting and a fresh coat of paint if needed, Sala said.

Here are the rest of the updates included in the email:

Classroom Improvement Cycle: Our annual cycle of classroom improvements is wrapping up. This collaborative effort between Campus Facilities Administration and Services (CFAS) and Information Technology Services (ITS) includes such improvements as updating classroom technology, installing dimmable lighting systems, and refreshing seating, carpet and paint. This summer a variety of improvements are complete, or nearing completion, at Carnegie Library, Center for Science and Technology, Crouse-Hinds Hall, Eggers Hall, Flint Hall, Hall of Languages, Haven Hall, Heroy Geology Building, Link Hall, Lyman Hall, MacNaughton Hall, the Nancy Cantor Warehouse, the Physics Building, the Shaffer Art Building, Slocum Hall and White Hall.

Crouse College Bells: The new bells will be arriving this week, and we are in the process of scheduling the crane to rig them into place the week of Aug. 8. It will be a sight to see the largest bell, which weighs more than 1,000 pounds, being lifted into place.

Link Hall Accessible Ramp and Auditorium Improvements: The concrete foundation for the new accessible ramp will be poured this week, and construction on the entry is underway. The new accessible auditorium entry has been cut through, and construction on the new lobby will commence shortly. The full scope of these improvements will be complete in the fall semester.

National Grid Work at Shaffer Art: National Grid is currently working to repair a minor gas issue between the Shaffer Art Building and Link Hall. We are actively working with National Grid to get this work completed. In the meantime, their excavated area will be plated and kept safe.

Sims Hall Stair Replacement: Entry stairs and site stairs on the north side of the building will be opened this week, and site restoration will commence immediately with the intention of having sod laid early next week. Work has commenced on replacing the east entry stairs. As a reminder, granite treads will be installed on these heated stairs over the course of the fall semester, closing no more than one entry at any given time.

South Crouse Sidewalk: To improve pedestrian safety on South Crouse Avenue, a new sidewalk has been installed. This is one of the many subtle, but substantial, changes completed across campus this summer. Take a look around the Quad and you will see a few other improvements.

Published on August 1, 2016 at 5:23 pm

Contact Rachel: rsandler@syr.edu