As construction begins on the Talley Student Center renovations, the University’s Department of Transportation is making plans to minimize its effects on navigating campus.
According to Christine Klein, public communication specialist for NCSU Transportation, students concerned about the travel troubles that may arise in bus routes surrounding the construction zones can rest easy.
“We always analyze and review the effectiveness of our bus routes, but this year in particular, we’re taking the opportunity to take a fresh look at the way we manage transit service,” Klein said. “We’re not ready to roll out our plans just yet, but students will be seeing changes in the fall which we think they’ll like.”
While the final fall plans haven’t been released, students living on central campus during the summer sessions may find usual routes along Cates Avenue and Dan Allen Drive altered in response to the renovation. In addition, Centennial Campus routes are under review and are changing due to student suggestions.
“We knew the Talley Renovation was coming, so we did not route any buses on the portion of Cates Avenue between Talley and Dan Allen Drive. We incorporated some changes to Centennial Campus service, including some requests/ideas from students,” Klein said. “Overall, students seem very pleased with the ‘tweaks’ to summer service.”
According to Klein, the transportation office is also working to provide a fast and reliable way for students to stay up-to-date on all changes.
“We’ve provided a construction fencing diagram on our website that will explain how students can navigate the area. It shows when different fencing configurations will go into place this summer to accommodate site utility upgrades that need to take place before we start building,” Klein said. “The good news is students will be able to use all the main doors to Talley, travel up and down West Dunn by foot, bike or wheelchair, and utilize the student center, particularly the dining facilities.”
According to Klein, it is the experience N.C. State has had in dealing with major construction projects in the past that is likely to keep this process running smoothly.
“I believe experts in the design and construction field have planned all aspects of construction. It’s definitely a science,” Klein said. “We have vast experience in coordinating very impactful projects that involved temporary loss of parking, street closures, transit impacts and changes in pedestrian flow; i.e., Yarbrough Chilled Water Plant, SAS building, etc.”
While Klein said the University is working hard to protect students from conflict stemming from Talley’s renovation, she also said there may be possible problems in the future.
“We can’t take away some of the pain of construction,” Klein said, “but we can ensure the campus community is aware of what’s going on so that they can plan their trips and relieve the stress as much as possible. Is construction immune from unforeseen circumstances? No – it’s a dynamic process, but that’s why communication is so important. It allows us the flexibility to incorporate changes and move the project forward with the very least impact to the campus community.”
Regardless, Klein said it is important to see Talley’s renovation as a way to directly and positively affect the student body, and many of the foreseeable consequences in its development may be necessary evils.
“Personally, as a University employee and an N.C. State graduate, I feel like any ‘pain’ experienced with this particular project is well worth it. Talley was functionally obsolete and no amount of money could have fixed its problems. Meeting rooms and student activity space were woefully inadequate, heating and air systems were being patched together and, not to be indelicate—but the plumbing…enough said,” Klein said. “The new Talley will be truly worthy of the students it serves.”
Jennifer Gilmore, communications manager for University Dining and leader of the Talley Project, expressed similar sentiments. She said while there may be annoyances now, the rewards aren’t far behind.
“I hope that students will see the value of this project and consider the inconveniences a small price to pay for a brand new student center that will serve generations of students to come,” Gilmore said. “By learning more about the project and staying current on the construction notices, they can not only anticipate potential impacts to their daily schedule, but also get really excited about what the new building will offer. New dining facilities will be open as early as fall 2013, so we aren’t that far away from reaping some of the benefits.”
