Upcoming construction affects student and faculty parking
Melanie Tummino & Riana Quinn
Staff Writers
Starting on Sept. 28 there have been announcements involving the coordination of the conversion of the Central Steam Plant, located near the Science and Math Center, and the construction that will take place prior.
Although the work being done is necessary and beneficial to the community, it will be a disturbance when it comes to parking on campus.
An email from the faculty members of Management & Planning said, “The three or four days needed to haul out the tanks will impact a greater number of parking spaces within the West Campus Parking Lot.”
This email was not sent directly to BSU students, which can be problematic when it comes to communication within the campus.
BSU commuter student, Sara Fender, is concerned about the effects this project will have on parking.
“Parking is very stressful as it is, so when you add circumstances like snow or construction, it becomes even more stressful because there are even less spots,” she said.
Fender is not alone, as all commuters and faculty will be uprooted by this project.
Nicole Briggs, another BSU student who feels similarly, is happy about the environmental benefits the project will have but wishes that there was more communication about the parking matter.
Prior to this interview, Briggs had no knowledge of the construction.
“It is frustrating that they approve these projects during times where classes are in session and don’t bother to better inform the students,” said Briggs.
Although this is an inconvenience, in an email that was sent to select BSU faculty members, it was said that “according to Massachusetts General Law, the University is obligated to have these USTs (underground storage tanks) removed within two years from the date of discontinued use; thus, they must be removed prior to May 2016.”
With winter on the way, it is important to begin this 4-week project now as removing 30,000 gallon underground storage tanks can be a challenging task with snow and/or ice directly above the USTs.
The overall goal is to produce steam through natural gas rather than through #6 fuel oil, which will be healthier for the environment. This steam heats several buildings and kitchen areas on Bridgewater State University campus.
Melanie Tummino & Riana Quinn are Staff Writers for The Comment newspaper.
