Photos and story by Rhiannon Branch/The News
Has your normal shortcut between Price Doyle Fine Arts Center and Lovett Auditorium been halted this week by chunks of sidewalk and white barricades? If so, you are not alone.
The sidewalk between the two buildings has been inaccessible after damage to the sidewalk was discovered by a grounds crew over spring break.
Jay Schroeder, a freshman fine arts and journalism major, noticed the sidewalk caving in before spring break and was surprised to see it looking much worse upon her return.
Associate Director of Grounds and Custodial services, Rick Grogan, said he believes two factors influenced the destruction of the sidewalk.
According to Grogan, magnolia trees were being pulled in that area over spring break to prevent their roots from further damaging the structure of the sidewalk. After the trees were uprooted, a leak in an underground storm drain pipe beneath the sidewalk was found.
“If the pipe had been damaged for some time, it is possible that some erosion had occurred over the course of time that could also have contributed to the sidewalk being more unstable,” Grogan said.
By Tuesday, trees were removed and the pipe was fixed. Concrete was poured on Wednesday following the break in wet weather and Grogan said that if all goes as planned, the project should be completed before All Campus Sing next Wednesday.
“I did not expect it to be repaired this quickly,” Schroeder said. “ Nonetheless, it is good to know that the walkway will be reopened soon so my classmates and I can continue that route through the zen garden in between classes.”
