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NewsvineFor freshmen experiencing Stanford's campus for the first time, the ongoing construction may come as a surprise. But even those returning may be shocked by some of the changes to the University, which include the new Stanford Stadium and a 60-ft deep hole where Wilbur Field once was.
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The most ambitious project underway is the The Munger Construction Project, which will create new graduate residences where the Stern parking lot and Salvatierra Walk used to stand. Five historic houses that sat on Salvatierra were moved to different locations on campus to make way for the $100 million, 600-bed project.
But while the houses were moved by the beginning of the summer, construction has been postponed until 2007, said Mark Bonino, project manager for Munger Housing, and will not begin until the contractor team completes the work on the new Stanford Stadium.
"We're waiting for our best construction team to come off the stadium project," he said. "With the great job they're doing there, they deserve a bit of a break before we get into our preconstruction planning and working on the bids for the Munger project. I think everyone thought it was in our best interest to spend some more preconstruction time so that we can get the best construction product for the most efficient dollars."
The excavation of an underground parking lot on the site of Wilbur Field is also nearing completion. However, the construction of the underground garage will continue through 2007 with an expected completion in January 2008.
With construction anticipated throughout the academic year, many students have expressed concern over how it will affect their lives.
"Access to the dormitories for students returning to campus has been considered as part of the larger construction logistics planning for the area," said Jack Cleary, director of project management. "The Campus Drive road construction will be complete this week in time for students returning to Stern and Wilbur. The contractors have been advised that no work in this area can begin before 8 a.m. to reduce the impact of noise and construction activity on the neighbors."
Nonetheless some students are still finding the noise difficult to cope with.
"The only thing I mind is the noise level in the mornings," said senior Megumi Tsutsui, a Peer Health Educator in Rinconada, a dormitory adjacent to the parking lot construction. "They usually start around 7:30 or 8. I stay up late at night expecting to sleep in, so I don't like being woken up before I have to be."
The Barnum Family Center adjacent to the clock tower was also completed over the summer and will be used to house programs for the School of Education. In White Plaza, the demolition of Old Union has finished and renovation will continue throughout the academic year.