Two more Escofet “ocotillo”-style light poles should be set in place on the western side of the Centennial Plaza by Monday, Feb. 2. When complete, the plaza will have six clusters of these light fixtures. Each cluster is made up of three light poles and each pole has three to five arms with lights on the tips.
Landscapers also have started the final phase of planting around the concrete amphitheater on the north side of the plaza. Crews will be placing shrubs and medium- sized shade trees that will grow to about 12 feet tall.
Workers will continue to prepare the area between the Psychology Building and Heritage House for a new parking lot.
Contractors have completed forms for the first decorative water fountain at the intersection of University Avenue and Hawthorne Street, and will begin to create forms for a second fountain the week of Feb. 2. Faculty and staff will begin to see the circular paseo take shape around what will be the plaza’s grassy oval starting on the plaza’s north end. Remember, the grass will be bordered by a 4-foot wide Centennial timeline, which will be surrounded by an approximately 12-foot wide paseo made up of decompressed granite. This will be happening during the next three weeks.
At the same time, crews will set the large rocks for the plaza’s water-channeling acequias. The rocks are recycled from the University’s different transformation projects such as the plaza, the expansion of Sun Bowl Drive and the residential housing complex.
