Signs of progress emerge as construction continues in historic Mirror Lake District
Construction cones and chain link fences may obscure some of the view of the historic Mirror Lake District , but the pace of progress is moving fast at the iconic setting on The Ohio State University campus.
“Most of the major demolition work is done. The next piece is to get the utilities in place. That includes sewer and electricity,” said University Landscape Architect Steve Volkmann.
Construction crews working on Mirror Lake have removed most of the concrete and stone liner that formed the base of the lake. Landscaping has been pared back and walkways have been cleared. The new design calls for a more natural and sustainable setting.
With a focus on safety and sustainability, the new Mirror Lake will have more plants and flowers around the edges of the water and a gradual slope into the lake. The design will help students and faculty use one of the most popular settings on campus as a learning lab.
Normal weather conditions have helped keep the project on schedule with a summer 2018 completion date expected.
The historic Mirror Lake District renovation, that includes Baker Commons, Browning Amphitheatre and Oxley and Pomerene Halls, aligns with the university’s campus master plan. Framework 2.0 is a long-term guiding vision that imagines transformational research and learning environments over the next decade and beyond.
Construction at Oxley Hall, the home of the Department of Linguistics, is nearing completion with the department expected to return by the end of October. Sidewalks around Oxley that had been closed for construction are now open for pedestrians.
The renovations at Pomerene Hall are taking shape. The historic building was once home to the university’s first women’s student union and includes a vintage gymnasium. It will soon be home to the History of Art Department and the new Translational Data Analytics Institute.
New windows have been installed throughout Pomerene Hall and in the dramatic glass atrium that will greet students, faculty, staff and visitors. Pomerene construction is scheduled to be complete by April 2018.
