What most students do not know is that the majority of construction happens over the summer while school is out to lessen the burden on students and the construction workers. However, the University and the city have already begun construction on parts of Jack Warner Parkway and University Boulevard.
The area of University Boulevard under construction is in front of multiple fraternity houses and restaurants such as Newk’s and Arby’s. The stretch of Jack Warner under construction runs from behind Lakeside East all the way down to Riverfront Village. These areas house many students and bring business to the restaurants surrounding them.
Since the spring is still in session, many students have expressed their feelings of concern over inconvenience regarding the early construction.
“The construction on University backs up traffic all the time,” said Carter Hodge, a senior majoring in finance. “I have lived here over the summer before and there are parts of the road that cannot even be used.”
While it is an immediate inconvenience to students finishing up their semester, there is a larger issue of the construction not being finished before the summer classes begin, along with more construction that will surely begin over the summer.
Along with road construction, the University has added an entire new area of campus known as North Lawn. This area already contains academic halls and new areas that will soon be under construction to be assets for the University.
The University is also beginning construction for a new Tutwiler Hall, which will continue to be used as an all-women residence hall. This comes at a very inconvenient time for the women who currently live in Tutwiler since they do not have access to a large portion of the parking lot. However, many view this as necessary and will benefit the students in the long run.
“Tutwiler is something that has needed improvement for years now,” said Cavi Drake, a senior majoring in business management. “I am happy for the girls that will be living in a brand new building.”
The current Tutwiler is scheduled to be demolished soon, with a parking deck to be added shortly thereafter. Jack Warner Parkway and University Boulevard are expected to continue construction over the summer.
