Butler Plaza and Lawn Restoration Project

Butler Plaza and Lawn - Updates for week of Oct. 16

Posted October 16, 2017

Miscellaneous work for the Butler Lawn and Plaza restoration project is continuing to be completed. By the end of Wednesday of this week (October 18), new sod is anticipated to be laid down in the southern portion of South Lawn West, which was the location of construction staging during the project. By the end of this week (Oct. 20), installation of the granite and railing for the ramp approaching the library from the north is scheduled for completion. By the end of October, a new entryway to South Lawn West across from Lerner Hall will be completed. Updates on additional work will be added to this website when scheduled.

Pathways adjacent to Butler Lawn to open Thursday, October 5

Posted October 4, 2017

The Butler Lawn and Plaza restoration project is nearing completion. On Wednesday, October 4, new sod will be laid on Butler Lawn, and the following day, the perimeter pathways will be reopened. Protective fencing will surround the lawn to give the sod time to take root. The blue construction fencing has already been removed, plant material is in place along the perimeter and all new benches and light posts have been installed.

When the perimeter pathways reopen on Thursday, October 5, the balance of South Lawn East will also be reopened. There had been a protective fence in place on the south area of the lawn surrounding new sod that had been laid down.

Some miscellaneous work remains and will be completed over the next few weeks. We are awaiting delivery of the railing for the ramp leading to the library's entrance from the north. Replacement of granite blocks near the library's entrance is also still to come, and restoration of the southern portion of South Lawn West, which was used as the construction staging area during the project, remains. In addition, we will be creating a new entrance across from Lerner Hall to access South Lawn West, similar to the new entrance across from Van Am Quad to access South Lawn East.

See images below, and continue to check back at this page for updates.

Sub-layers of pathways being formed and paver installation begins

Posted September 19, 2017

Granite curbing around the walkway perimeters has been completed.  The asphalt layer above the stone layer has been completed for the east walkway and is in progress for the west walkway.  Installation of black hexagonal pavers has started at the north end of the site closest to College Walk.

See images below, and continue to check back at this page for updates.

Framework of Pathways and Lawn in Front of Butler Library Taking Shape

Posted September 12, 2017

With the installation of granite curbing, the distinct areas representing the lawn and its adjacent east and west pathways are beginning to emerge.  The center lawn will be flanked by two pathways containing the black hexagonal pavers consistent with what appears on College Walk.  In the above photo, the area representing the east pathway is prominent, with the lawn area in view to its right.

Eight new benches will line the perimeter of the pathways, aligned with the lampposts.  The lampposts are also being outfitted with Wi-Fi in an effort to add more outdoor Wi-Fi on campus - particularly near the popular South Lawns.  The foundation for the ramp leading from the west pathway to the front of the library has also been completed.

The project is anticipated to be fully completed around the middle of October.  Once the project is completed and sod is installed in the center lawn, that lawn will have temporary fencing until the sod has had sufficient time to root and set.

See carousel photos below for more image details and continue to check this page for updates.

Butler Library Main Entrance to Reopen Tuesday, Sept. 5

Posted August 31, 2017

Construction crews are nearing completion of the first phase of the Butler Plaza restoration project.  Brick pavers for the east and west walkways have been completed, with final touches of grout being added on the east path and railing installation on the west path.  Granite pieces are in place in the main plaza**, with all work on track for the main entrance to Butler Library to reopen for the start of fall semester on the morning of September 5.  In addition, landscapers finished adding new sod to the south part of South Lawn East.  That portion of the lawn will be closed for a few weeks to give the new sod time to settle and strengthen.

After the library entrance and plaza reopen, work will continue on Butler Lawn.  When complete, Butler Lawn will have a more open and inviting feel, with eight new benches to be installed along the lawn's perimeter.  While the work on Butler Lawn is completed, the south end of South Lawn West will remain closed for construction staging.

**You may see a couple of instances of damaged granite pieces in the main plaza.  Some were damaged during construction.  Don't worry - we will be repairing and/or replacing the damaged pieces.  There are also a few areas filled in with concrete while we wait for the delivery of the granite pieces on back order.  Our construction team has been working very hard on this project and we want it to look sparkling when complete.

Please continue to check this web page for new progress photos and updates.

Butler Plaza granite pavers have been placed, readying for final touches and clean-up for the reopening of Butler Library's main entrance on Sept. 5. (Photo from August 31, 2017)

Final preparations being made to the Butler Plaza east walkway in preparation for the library's main entrance to reopen on Sept. 5. (Photo from August 31, 2017)

New sod at the southern portion of South Lawn East. (Photo from September 1, 2017)

Temporary concrete has been installed in one area of Butler Plaza while we wait for granite pieces to be delivered. Butler Library's main entrance will reopen for the start of fall semester on Sept. 5. (Photo from August 31, 2017)