The IU Board of Trustees approved projects intended to improve the landscaping of East Seventh Street and Woodlawn Avenue as well as sustain the Jordan River at its April 6 meeting in the Indiana Memorial Union.
The gate will have limestone pillars and run across the service road leading into the loading dock at the IMU, IU spokesperson Chuck Carney said. The river renovation will not include any radical changes, but will improve the river structurally and aesthetically.
East Seventh Street and Woodlawn Avenue renovations
The gate will mostly act to block direct view of the loading dock at the IMU to beautify the intersection, Carney said. The gate will be closed to regular traffic, but there is still discussion about how entering and exiting will work for service vehicles.
The intersection will also be improved by making all four corners of the intersection wider to make it easier for buses to pass through. The corners will also be renovated to match the aesthetics of the gate.
Carney said the project will be completed in time for the fall semester and is estimated to cost about $1 million.
Jordan River renovation
The Jordan River renovations will focus on maintenance, stabilizing erosion and improvements to accessibility, according to IU's Twitter page. The project will include removing invasive species, rebuilding impaired retaining walls and renovating wooden bridges that only have steps to be more accessible.
Carney said the project will not make the river look radically different. The flow of the river won’t change. The project is meant to improve the river structurally and aesthetically.
The Jordan River renovation will take part in stages and be completed some time in 2019. Carney said the project is estimated to cost around $1 million.
Other business
The renovation of Ernie Pyle Hall is estimated to be complete by May 2018, according to the IU Twitter page. It was announced at yesterday's meeting the College of Arts and Sciences will move academic advising and the Walter Center for Career Achievement to Ernie Pyle Hall.
The board also discussed energy metrics at the University. IU has 19 LEED certified buildings with 12 more under review. LEED focuses on efficient energy in the design of buildings. Thomas Morrison, vice president of capital planning and utilities, said LEED construction significantly reduces utility costs.
The board also discussed sustainability in Residential Programs and Services. RPS is composting 5,000 pounds a week and working on Zero Waste initiatives, said Rahul Shrivastav, director of dining services.
The Board will meet again June 14 and 15 at IU Northwest.
