Garfield Avenue Redesign
About the Project
This strategic redesign, spurred by the need to replace failing subsurface utilities, has transformed one of the primary entrances and thoroughfares through UW-Eau Claire's campus into a pedestrian mall more accommodating to students and visitors alike. This $12.4 million project was enumerated in the 2013-15 state budget. Construction began in spring 2017 and was substantially completed by fall 2018. Final work and enhancements, including a water feature and new arched campus gateway made possible through philanthropic support from Jon and Megan Stowe, are to be completed in August 2019.
Main features of this project:
- Replacement of underground utilities from the base of the university hill to Park Avenue.
- Removal of the Putnam Hall parking lot to make way for the development of a future outdoor classroom.
- Reconfiguring of the south end of the footbridge to provide a more gradual flow into the Central Campus Mall area.
- Conversion to a pedestrian and bicycle thoroughfare in accordance with principles in the 2010-30 Campus Master Plan.
- A water feature and new arched campus gateway made possible through philanthropic support from Jon and Megan Stowe.
Site Visit 01 (September 16-17)
In a two-day campus site visit the Garfield Avenue Redevelopment Team met with the Campus Project Committee, Steering Committee, students, staff, Ecumenical Religious Center representatives, City of Eau Claire Staff and city/neighborhood members to introduce them to the site and utility constraints, while also soliciting feedback on what their vision is for the redevelopment project.
Site Visit 02 (October 15-16)
In a two-day campus site visit the Garfield Avenue Redevelopment Team met with the Campus Project Committee, Steering Committee, students, staff, Ecumenical Religious Center representatives, City of Eau Claire staff and city/neighborhood members to review the design goals and introduce three design studies that built off feedback provided from the various stakeholder groups in September.
Site Visit 03 (November 17-18)
In a two-day campus site visit the Garfield Avenue Redevelopment Team met with the Campus Project Committee, Steering Committee, students, staff, Ecumenical Religious Center Representatives, City of Eau Claire staff and city/neighborhood members to review a consolidated site design based on feedback from the previous October design meeting. The design includes an outdoor classroom at the current Putnam parking lot site, seating areas, pedestrian and bicycle corridor, overlook, amphitheater, event lawn, stormwater infrastructure, and gateway entrance between Zorn Arena and Hibbard Hall.
Site Visit 04 (December 16)
In a one-day campus site visit the Garfield Avenue Redevelopment Team met with the Campus Project Committee, Campus Steering Committee, and City/Neighborhood groups to review a refined site plan based on feedback from the previous November meetings. Some of the topics covered in the meeting were: additional outdoor classroom nodes, seating areas, paving materials, pedestrian and bicycle circulation, food stands, clock placement, overlooks, guardrails, ADA parking, pedestrian lighting, exhibit elements for storytelling, emergency access, and gateway materials.
Site Visit 05 (January 20)
In a one-day campus site visit the Garfield Avenue Redevelopment Team met with the Campus, City and public as part of the EIA Public Hearing process to review a revised site plan based on feedback from the previous December design meetings. The team reviewed railing, paving, material, and planting concepts.
