By: Lauren Burgess
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV) – On Monday, October 21, the Arkansas Union’s west-side stairwells will be closed to prepare for renovations.
The construction will be done on both the tiered, large stairs closest to the football stadium.
Arkansas Student Union Director, Rob Stagni, said, “Signage and cones have been placed at the ground-level entrances to each stairwell” to ensure safety measures will be in place during the maintenance.
Concerns regarding the construction include alternate emergency exits and the time it will take.
“The work being performed will take three or more weeks because it involves demolition and re-construction of some side paneling adjacent to the stairwells. The stairwells will remain usable as an emergency exit, such as in a fire.” said Stagni.
The stairwells will be entirely off-limits to students, faculty, and staff during the renovation, except for an emergency exit.
The ground-level entrances on the first floor’s west side will be closed, making students, faculty, and staff use alternate routes to enter the Union. One option is taking the stairs alongside the Union and parking garage up to the campus level and entering from the side doors.
Construction hours:
This could vary due to inclement weather or if necessary, but the renovations are planned to be done in three weeks.
Contractors will have areas roped off where equipment is being held and debris may exist.
On campus, there is constant, ongoing construction, which impacts students’ days.
It is important to raise awareness of this ongoing construction and to ensure the safety of U of A students, faculty, and staff.
Emma Todoroff, a junior at the U of A said, “I don’t like construction on campus. It affects my day because it is an inconvenience.”
For those with classes in the Union or walking around the Union, the risk for safety will be minimal as long as students do not use any of those stairwell entrances (except as an emergency exit).
Inquiries or questions about the overall construction progress can be directed to the Director of Union, Rob Stagni, and Construction Project Specialist, Josh Turner with facilities management.
