Blacktop and paint striping today (Thursday, July 11), and back-to-normal campus parking TOMORROW (July 12)! Yes, we know that we’ve had to move this much-anticipated date back several times, but that’s because the contractor has had to move the date back due to unforeseen complications. If you’ve ever done a home remodeling project (or hired a contractor to do it for you), you know how it goes. The good news is that, starting tomorrow, our campus parking lot will be ready and waiting for you – and because you’ve been following our posts, you will know all about the huge storm water drain field that’s hiding underneath the blacktop, quietly standing by to handle all the rain that Mother Nature can dump on our campus.
Meanwhile, on the Northeast corner of our campus, construction of our Midway Village senior apartment complex is humming right along. The tall machine at the left is finishing up the 667 Geopier holes (12″ diameter, 14-20 feet deep, filled with compacted crushed rock) that will prevent the structure’s concrete footings from settling. Geopier technology has replaced traditional wood or steel pilings. The size of the footings (and how many Geopiers will support each footing) depends on the load that each footing will bear. The largest footing is 22′ x 22′ x 3′ thick. It is currently serving as the foundation for the huge construction crane toward the right of the picture.
Yes, there is construction noise, and sometimes our floors bounce a bit due to the heavy equipment, but our residents are enjoying the show and cheering the workers on. There is a palpable sense that we’re all in this together, and that an even brighter future is taking shape for everyone – right before our eyes.