Ashton Quad to be rebuilt

New parking garages and state-of-the-art science buildings are among the facilities being considered for construction on campus over the next couple years. \nIU officials are also planning a renovation of the Ashton Quad dorms. Officials have approved and confirmed the proposal to tear down Ashton Quad in order to build a 900-bed dorm in the area. The date of the renovation is still to be determined.\nThe IU board of trustees has been considering building a $10.5 million lecture hall in the Main Library parking lot, as well.\n"We approved the project a couple of years ago," trustee Peter Obremskey said. "However, I don't know where we are now on it. It hasn't taken flight."\nObremskey speculated the stalling of the project has been due to a lack of funding and the concentration of priority on the new $50 million, 80,000 sq. foot, multi-disciplinary science building which will be located between Myers Hall and the Chemistry building.\nObremskey also said there is a possibility of creating a science quarter that would run from 10th Street to 17th Street near the athletic facilities, "utilizing the area's green space." The 20-year plan is in its beginning stages, he said. \nBut some members of the campus community said IU needs to address the lack of campus parking rather than more classroom space. With the prospect of more buildings being built, the concerns about parking are pervasive. \n"I think anything that adds to the academic success at IU is great," IU Student Association President Casey Cox said. "However, I encourage the University to be mindful of inconveniences that may arise from such construction such as more limited parking and congested traffic."\nFor example, if a lecture hall were constructed in the Main Library back lot, normal library parking as it is now would be reduced to almost nothing.\n"As those (building construction) plans are being developed we are trying to address the parking need," said Doug Porter, director of IU Parking Operations. \nSome of these projects include building a parking lot between Third Street and Atwater Avenue behind Acacia fraternity, a parking garage on 10th Street across from Teter Quad and a garage behind the Geology building, Porter said.\nHe said Parking Operations are working in conjunction with the IU Facilities department within a timeframe of about a year to complete these projects.\n"If the buildings progress pretty fast, then we'll be building pretty quick as well," Porter said.\n-- Contact staff writer Aaron Uslan at auslan@indiana.edu.