Drexel University is planning to begin work on a 40,000-square-foot green space at its decades-old residency that is being demolished on its campus, writes Michael Tanenbaum for PhillyVoice.
Plans for the recreational field were unveiled last year as part of a wider set of projects the university is undertaking to make its campus more walkable and student-friendly.
“It’s answering a student need to have an open space for recreation, where students can hang out while enjoying being outside,” said Nancy Trainer, Drexel’s former university architect and associate vice president of facilities, last year.
The project is described as a “front lawn” on the campus’ north side.
It will preserve eight existing trees and add 104 new ones. The lawn will be mostly open space and planting beds, plus a plaza with seating and electrical outlets.
The new space is replacing Myers Hall, which first opened at Drexel in 1977 as part of its major building boom.
It was one of 21 buildings Drexel opened between 1960 and 1980.
Myers Hall was last renovated in 2005, and housed about 400 students before its closure.
Drexel officials are targeting to open the new field in the fall.
Read more about what will become of the space that previously housed Drexel’s Myers Hall for decades in PhillyVoice.
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