Possible new area for Tailgating behind Gorgas Library?

bamainatlanta87 · July 10th, 2008, 04:28 PM

I had read that the UA BOT gave approval for the parking lot behind Gorgas Library (main Library where Million Dollar Band performs pre game) to be converted to a pedestrian plaza, with a water fountain and academic monuments. It was to be completed this summer. Does anyone know if this has been delayed, or is it in the process of being converted? I am hoping to see the completed project when I return to campus for football games for several reasons. Number 1, it will provide a great new area for tailgating, and number 2, I think it will be a very attractive change to the center of the campus. Any students on campus this summer of TTown residents please tell me what you have seen or know. Thanks!

alextupelo · July 10th, 2008, 04:38 PM

	Quote:	bamainatlanta87
	I had read that the UA BOT gave approval for the parking lot behind Gorgas Library (main Library where Million Dollar Band performs pre game) to be converted to a pedestrian plaza, with a water fountain and academic monuments. It was to be completed this summer. Does anyone know if this has been delayed, or is it in the process of being converted? I am hoping to see the completed project when I return to campus for football games for several reasons. Number 1, it will provide a great new area for tailgating, and number 2, I think it will be a very attractive change to the center of the campus. Any students on campus this summer of TTown residents please tell me what you have seen or know. Thanks!

Behind as in the area between Gorgas and Clark hall? No such construction has started or even been hinted at starting. The biggest obstacle to something like that would be the road that runs through there as well as the fact that they just redid those roads so that Crimson Ride would have easy access. Far to late for something like this to happen.

specialkpntbl · July 10th, 2008, 04:47 PM

	Quote:	alextupelo
	Behind as in the area between Gorgas and Clark hall? No such construction has started or even been hinted at starting. The biggest obstacle to something like that would be the road that runs through there as well as the fact that they just redid those roads so that Crimson Ride would have easy access. Far to late for something like this to happen.

Me and one of my buddies that goes to bama were walking around that area earlier this year and he mentioned something about the university doing something over that way. I'm not sure what it was exactly or where exactly it was supposed to go, but I do remember it involved landscaping of some sort...

CaliforniaTide · July 10th, 2008, 04:54 PM

Like Alex said, there is absolutely nothing going on behind Gorgas. From a pure logistics standpoint, that road probably the major area for most of the CrimsonRide buses that that the students use. It is also used for transporting fans before and after the home football games. Unless the school is planning on demolishing Clark Hall (which I don't think will happen), there are no construction plans that I've heard mentioned about anything going on, and it is far too late in the summer for that to get started.

Heck, I'm a bit worried that the construction/widening project on Bryant Dr., around 12th Ave through Queen City Ave. might not finish in time for football season, despite what the mayor has said about it.

Tidewater · July 10th, 2008, 04:55 PM

	Quote:	specialkpntbl
	Me and one of my buddies that goes to bama were walking around that area earlier this year and he mentioned something about the university doing something over that way. I'm not sure what it was exactly or where exactly it was supposed to go, but I do remember it involved landscaping of some sort...

Archeology dig of Jefferson Hall, the old barracks (burned by the yankees in 1865, when Earle was freshman) under Capstone Drive last winter.
Maybe that is what you saw.

As for any conversion of Capstone Drive into a tailgating area or "pedestrian plaza, with a water fountain and academic monuments," no way that happens any time soon.

MasterShake · July 10th, 2008, 04:56 PM

That's a great idea! That area has always been sort of an eyesore. I'm always in favor of reclaiming land for cars and giving it back to the pedestrian.

specialkpntbl · July 10th, 2008, 04:59 PM

	Quote:	Tidewater
	Archeology dig of the old barracks (burned by the yankees in 1865, when Earle was freshman) under Capstone Drive last winter. Maybe that is what you saw. As for any conversion of Capstone Drive into a tailgating area or "pedestrian plaza, with a water fountain and academic monuments," no way that happens any time soon.

No....... There wasn't any digging going on currently or previously. I'll call my friend and ask him.

bamainatlanta87 · July 10th, 2008, 05:01 PM

"Behind as in the area between Gorgas and Clark hall? No such construction has started or even been hinted at starting. The biggest obstacle to something like that would be the road that runs through there as well as the fact that they just redid those roads so that Crimson Ride would have easy access. Far to late for something like this to happen."

Well here is a link to the Crimson and White article which said it was to be converted this summer. http://media.www.cw.ua.edu/media/sto...-3197723.shtml

The plaza will have lanes for the Crimson Ride, but no more parking behind the Library. Has anyone actually been on campus and can verify that nothing is happening behind the Library this summer? Please read the article and you will see for yourself that this will indeed happen. I just wanted to know if had been delayed.

CaliforniaTide · July 10th, 2008, 05:02 PM

	Quote:	specialkpntbl
	No....... There wasn't any digging going on currently or previously. I'll call my friend and ask him.

Capstone Drive, the road/parking lot which runs behind Gorgas, was being resurfaced and re-done to get ready for the CrimsonRide bus system. While they were doing that, there was a discovery of some stairs that were originally part of some Civil War-era buildings that were once part of the campus but is not longer there. So for a little while, the archaeology department was doing some research before construction closed up the holes.

bamainatlanta87 · July 10th, 2008, 05:04 PM

That parking lot has been a huge eyesore ever since its creation. I sure hope that they move on it soon. Maybe the budget cuts have delayed the project.

Tidewater · July 10th, 2008, 05:12 PM

	Quote:	bamainatlanta87
	Well here is a link to the Crimson and White article which said it was to be converted this summer. http://media.www.cw.ua.edu/media/sto...-3197723.shtml

I had not noticed that. I guess I should read the CW more conscientiously.

	Quote:	bamainatlanta87
	The plaza will have lanes for the Crimson Ride, but no more parking behind the Library. Has anyone actually been on campus and can verify that nothing is happening behind the Library this summer? Please read the article and you will see for yourself that this will indeed happen. I just wanted to know if had been delayed.

I was at Gorgas yesterday and saw no signs of breaking pavement or any signs of construction. The CW article says "the plaza would be built during the summer so the disruption to students would be minimal."
My guess is that this won't happen this summer. Maybe next summer.

The CW article also says that "Campus Drive" would be dug up, not Capstone Drive, but I believe this was a typo. The old foundations were found beneath Capstone Drive.
The article further states, "The plaza will be on top of the area where archaeologists found the foundations of the original campus buildings. UA spokeswoman Deborah Lane said the goal would be to honor and preserve the old foundations."
I wonder if they'll include a plaque showing his the buildings were "remodeled" compliments of the US Army.

bamainatlanta87 · July 10th, 2008, 05:19 PM

Well that is disappointing to hear. Whenever it is done, it will be a wonderful change to see. Wonder what the wait is for. Must be the state budget cuts. At least we know it will happen at some point.

specialkpntbl · July 10th, 2008, 05:33 PM

Ok so I just got off the phone with my friend. He said that that whole parking lot area behind the library is supposed to be ripped up and made into a walk-through garden.

He also said that this is in line with what the original campus plan was, where there would be no major roads on campus (with the exception of jack warner, university, and parts of one more i forgot) and that by the year 2020 (i think thats what he said) the whole campus would be done like that. He said the only vehicles on campus would be buses and you would have to park outside of campus in parking decks.

He didn't say a timeframe as to when the library part would be finished, but I really dont have any reason to not believe him...