Students are breaking in the University Promenade on the first day of classes after a summer of construction.
The $6 million project officially opened about a week ago and is the first project under the Campus Framework initiative, a series of projects committed to the beautification and restoration of SU's campus. The promenade stretches from the S.I. Newhouse School complex to Bird Library.
While there is controversy surrounding the allocation of funds toward the project, students utilized the space on the first day not only for shortcuts to class, but also for taking first-day-of-school photos and killing time between classes.
Kayci Hauser, a psychology sophomore, said the space is more inviting than it was last year.
"Before, people had to walk on the side of the road and look out for cars," she said. "It's a more relaxed environment."
In a campus-wide email sent last week, the university encouraged students to take a walk on the promenade. The purpose of its creation is to create a "pedestrian-friendly" environment from what was once a "busy street from heavy vehicle traffic," according to the email. The space was formerly part of the University Place roadway, and has since closed to all vehicular traffic with the exception of police, fire, emergency and maintence vehicles.
Stephanie Thoss, a biology pre-med freshman, saw the space while it was still under construction. She said sitting on the benches and watching people socialize and walk by reminded her of Central Park.
"I have to wait an hour for my next class. It's nice to just hangout and read a book," she said. "This is going to be the new hangout spot."
