The University should have warned students about construction to the H Street entrance area of the Marvin Center.
The purpose of the construction, to install an elevator that will make the H Street entrance handicapped-accessible in compliance with the American Disabilities Act, is certainly important.
But the changes raise new concerns as J Street seating has been sacrificed for the elevator. J Street already lacks an adequate amount of seating for patrons. Now the problem has been exacerbated by construction, and the University needs to find a solution.
Also, the traffic jam of students and vehicles caused by the scaffolding that blocks the neighboring sidewalk raises safety concerns. As Mike Gargano, assistant vice president for Student and Academic Support Services, said, students should look both ways before crossing – tried and true advice for a real problem.
If this construction couldn’t have been completed last summer, the least the University could have done is warn students. Also, the issues that have been raised as a result of the Marvin Center makeover – a lack of J Street seating and construction-area safety concerns – should be addressed by the University.
