The science building renovations are hard to miss, but there are some other forms of renovations going on around campus that may be slipping under the radar. During the week of August 20th, demolition began for a couple of buildings that used to be part of campus. But with new renovations comes new space.  Green space, that is.

Collins Hall and a building located 266 South River Street have both been demolished.  While Collins Hall had been used as a residence hall in the past, it has proven to be an inadequate space for such use due to its size.

266 South River Street was bought and analyzed by the University somewhere around eight months ago.  This piece of property was even smaller than Collins hall which made it of no use for residential life either.

Due to the fact that neither building is needed or usable by the University at this time, they were both demolished and will be turned into additional green space for the campus community.

Another piece of property owned by the campus was supposed to be torn down with the other two.  247 South Franklin Street, just off the Henry Student Center parking lot was to torn down as well.

“That’s in bad condition, it needs a lot of work, somewhere around a million dollars worth of work. And it just didn’t seem like that was the best investment for university dollars at the time.” John Pesta, Director of Capital Projects and Planning said.

The demolition of this building has been put on hold due to Asbestos (what is that?) in the building.  The dates for the demolition are not yet known.  What will become of this space though will initially be more added green space.

“That block of land on Franklin Street would be ideal for that” Pesta said about the possibility of these lots becoming residency halls someday.

While the University didn’t look at this as a way to make up for the loss of green space due to the science building, they did feel the campus, as a whole needed some added green space.

While it is not available for use yet, green space will be available for Wilkes University community.  At this time, they are spreading topsoil and planting grass seeds.

When the University is given the go ahead for use of the space, students and faculty will have the advantage of utilizing the areas for various activities.  They hope to add picnic tables and benches to the areas so that students will be able to enjoy them.