Construction on a car-free, pedestrian-friendly promenade on University Place is planned to start this summer, while a decision on the renovation and expansion of Archbold Gymnasium is expected to be announced the week after commencement.

These updates on Syracuse University’s Campus Framework plan came Thursday at two open sessions for students to share their input on the promenade and Archbold renovations, which are currently two of the key initiatives under the Campus Framework — one of three initiatives of SU’s Fast Forward plan. The other two components of Fast Forward are an Academic Strategic Plan and an Operational Excellence plan.

The sessions took place in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Thursday. About 10 students showed at the first session, and two students were in attendance for the second session. Two additional sessions were held on Friday at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. in Newhouse.

Susannah Ross, a representative from Sasaki Associates — a Boston-based architecture firm that is designing and constructing the University Place promenade — presented the logistics and planned details of the promenade. Then Andrew Elmer, a representative from Kansas City-based architecture firm Populous, presented the firm’s designs for the expansion and renovation of Archbold.

SU’s Board of Trustees is expected to make a decision about the Archbold renovations at its May meeting, and the university will likely announce the decision the week after commencement.

The promenade would encompass University Place from South Crouse Avenue to College Place, effectively restricting cars from bypassing through campus in that area, but would have a narrower profile than the street currently has. Bus stops on University Place, including those in front of Bird Library and the Schine Student Center, would switch to the opposite sides of the buildings on Waverly Avenue.

Sasaki Associates has also proposed the implementation of heated sidewalks near and along the promenade to advance the melting of snow on sidewalks.

A 24-foot clear zone for emergency access is planned for the promenade in the event that a fire truck or another emergency vehicle must pass through. The promenade would feature student-friendly amenities such as a bike corral in front of Bird Library and a seating area with concrete-based furniture.

Replicas of the furniture are currently placed inside Newhouse I and will be moved to inside Schine next week. Students can vote for their preferred seats through a form or online through April 29. A link to a survey about the seats will be sent to the student body next week.

The potential redevelopment of the Archbold Complex was described in detail by Elmer, who listed out the features of each of the renovated complex’s four levels. Elmer said the renovation is not meant only for recreational activities but also to recreate Archbold as a “holistic” health and wellness center on the SU campus. The renovation will also resolve current problems that make Archbold inaccessible for people with physical disabilities.

The basement level of the complex would have — among other features — a multi-purpose group activity space called a “mac court.”

The ground level would be split into a wet and dry side, with the wet side featuring a six-lane lap pool and an instructional pool for beginner swimmers. The dry side would have a large exercise gym and a health and wellness center that would include a pharmacy. A set of lockers for both faculty and staff would separate the wet and dry sides of the ground level.

The third level of the complex would have four basketball courts that can also be used for volleyball and other activities, another exercise gym and a health and wellness center designed for treatment purposes.

The fourth level would feature a track, a cardio balcony overlooking the exercise gym below and a health and wellness center for mental and body health where students would have the ability to practice yoga and meditate. The sky bridge connecting Flanagan and Archbold gymnasiums would remain.

Archbold will be open to the university community when students arrive back on campus in August, but it is unclear when construction of the 18-month project will begin, as the Board of Trustees has not yet approved the expansion and renovation of the Archbold Complex.

Should the project be approved, the equipment currently in Archbold would be moved to the Women’s Building, which would effectively become SU’s centralized exercise and recreational area. This move would result in the loss of three dance studios, so racquetball courts in Flanagan would be renovated to accommodate dancers.

Published on April 22, 2016 at 5:50 pm

Contact Alexa: atorrens@syr.edu