Updates to improvements around campus

[Western_101]

As it stands now the first row of seating on the West side is approximately 25 yards from the sideline . That isn't exactly right on top of the action. Unless the new plan has those first rows significantly raised from their current height sightlines will continue to be poor.

Moving the first rows of seats so that it directly abuts (or close) to the track would place the stands about 8 yards or 24' closer.

[sealhall74]

If I win the lottery on Saturday, we will either 1) relocate the track or 2) have hydraulic retractable lower sections of seating which extend onto track for football games. You heard it hear first. Someone tell Tommy.

[WIU0812]

That is way better than not moving them at all for sure. It also makes options for the future for if they were ever to remove the track and move it they could basically use that area as the side line still and it would look normal. I believe that is how Eastern Washington planned their new stadium. They added a new set of stands on one side and butt them against the track and then after a few years (this year) and more funding are removing the track and adding turf in that area for side line. I think most major stadiums are about 40 feet from the edge of white around field and if we placed at the fence it would be approximately 50 feet making it a within reasonable distance from field and match many of our competitions views. I am sure they are trying to use the hill side to their advantage, but I wonder what really the cost difference would be to move stadium essentially 25 feet closer. If it is less than $500,000 it would be foolish to even consider not doing this as this will be there for multiple decades.

[WIU0812]

Looks like WIU is going to help fund the new Adams St project with the City since the state would not give Macomb the grant they wanted. I am guessing this will be over a million dollar project with probably 200,000 or so coming for the medians and color concrete which is what I am assuming WIU is helping with. The mayor mentioned this in his State of the City address. I also found an old link to what they were hoping it would look like when they redesigned the Adam St corridor. I hope it is even some what similar to this eventually as it is an awesome design.

http://www.mcdonoughvoice.com/article/2 ... 0/?Start=1

http://cityofmacomb.com/pdf/AdamsSt.Study.pdf

[Neckfansince71]

Dr. Thomas said last weekend at a meeting I attended that both the CPA and the by-pass were a go and on schedule as far as the bidding process was concerned. I am not sure when CPA construction will begin, probably early spring if at all possible. I am very curious about how and where the materials and machines will be staged during CPA construction. The street between the new parking lot and Corbin Olson is in rough shape to say the least. I am sure it will all be fixed nicely after CPA is complete. jc

[WIU0812]

Good to see that they are still going through without a hitch. I would really like to see them demo the old cinema on northeast side of school if they are not going to do anything with it and rip out all of asphalt since it is junk anyway and just plant that area in prairie grass or something for the time being until they can afford the welcome center. That area has a beautiful welcome sign now followed by a condemned deteriorating building. Hopefully this is year they make the decision.

ST- When is your guys next MPIT meeting? I just realized that it was supposed to be in February sometime and will be looking forward to seeing the meeting notes like the previous ones that you showed us on the WIU website.

[ST_Lawson]

Good to see that they are still going through without a hitch. I would really like to see them demo the old cinema on northeast side of school if they are not going to do anything with it and rip out all of asphalt since it is junk anyway and just plant that area in prairie grass or something for the time being until they can afford the welcome center. That area has a beautiful welcome sign now followed by a condemned deteriorating building. Hopefully this is year they make the decision.

ST- When is your guys next MPIT meeting? I just realized that it was supposed to be in February sometime and will be looking forward to seeing the meeting notes like the previous ones that you showed us on the WIU website.

I'm not actually on the MPIT, I just post things when they send them to me. That being said, I've heard from a good source that the "improvements" slated to happen this summer are:

• Phase 1 of the Q-Lot Walkway improvement (discussed here) - Not the full thing, but closing the drive closest to Western Hall, opening the one in the middle, widening/improving the walkway, and setting up some barricades to separate the walkway area from the parking lot area.
• Repairing and/or replacing the Sherman Hall cupola
• Demolishing the Cinema 1&2 Building - I don't know what the current plan is for the space, whether they're going to pave over where the building was, or what. With the Godfather's Pizza building they paved over the hole when they had taken it out. Probably it'll just be extra parking or a heavy equipment storage area until they can put together the funding for a proper welcome center.
• Work on the Alumni House north porch - I don't know much about this project, just that they're going to work on it. Might be just repairing some crumbling concrete, or it could be expanding/improving it so that the front of the Alumni House looks nicer.

Anyway, that's all I know at this point. I'll be sure to post photos or links as soon as I start hearing about or seeing any of the improvements actually being started. Probably once it gets warm in a couple of months we'll start seeing some movement on that front.

Everything I've heard around campus points to the CPA also beginning construction once it gets a bit warmer. The governor is re-evaluating a lot of projects around the state, but from everything I've heard, the CPA planning and funding is too far along for him to completely shut down.

Also, it's not specific to campus, but the previous statement, I believe, also applies to the state of the northwest bypass around town as well. The route has already been cleared, they just need to lay down the pavement (you can view the route in satellite/aerial photos on Google Maps) and the funding has already been released and stuff. This will be nice for Macomb because you will have much less large truck traffic right through the middle of town, tearing up the main roads, making them have to redo the railroad crossings every few years, etc.

[vatusay]

Last I heard by-pass only going to be two lane for time being. That's Illinois for ya.

[ST_Lawson]

Last I heard by-pass only going to be two lane for time being. That's Illinois for ya.

That is correct. The cleared space is (I believe) wide enough for 4 lanes, but the first round of funding will only cover a 2-lane road. Still, it'll be redirecting the through traffic around town, so that's nice.

[vatusay]

Yes, just pretty pointless to pay for all the dirt work for four lane then only lay asphalt on one side. The dirt will have to be re-worked because of erosion if they ever do the full four lanes. Im going to assume they are smart enough to only stabilize the side asphalt is paid for.