Roadwork comes to an end
President Beverley Pitts, Deputy Mayor Michael Huber and ISG President Valerie Wilson cut the ribbon to signify the completion of Hanna Avenue on Dec. 1. Photo by Jessica Stucky
After more than two years, road construction on Hanna Avenue is finally completed, with landscaping and planting still continuing.
On Thursday, Dec. 1, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on the Otterbein Circle at 4:30 p.m. to celebrate the completion of Hanna Avenue.
University of Indianapolis President Beverley Pitts and Indianapolis Deputy Mayor Michael Huber spoke at the event.
Among the crowd were many people responsible for the Hanna Avenue completion, as well as many alumni and a few students.
Associate Vice President of Community Relations David Wantz started the celebration by acknowledging the many people in the crowd who were a large part of the Hanna Avenue construction.
He then introduced Pitts. She went on to welcome the completed Hanna Avenue as a part of our campus.
Although the road is not technically part of UIndy, the street runs through most of the campus.
“I think it changes the look of campus completely. It’s really a wonderful, wonderful change and we are happy it’s completed,” Pitts said.
During the ceremony, Pitts mentioned some of the unseen successes of Hanna Avenue, such as the cables that were buried instead of being displayed in the air. She also spoke of the new walkways that make crossing the avenue safer, especially at night.
“It is a relief that Hanna Avenue is finished,” said sophomore communication and sociology major Jessica Leaman. “It’s really nice that we can cross the street safely. Before, the experience was scary, not knowing if cars were going to stop or not.”
President of Indianapolis Student Government Valerie Wilson, who helped cut the ribbon at the event, appreciates the completion of Hanna Avenue and its many positive features.
“I think it [completion of Hanna Avenue] enhances the entire feel of our community and of our campus. With the wires and the telephone lines being underground, it makes [the] campus feel a lot more natural and a lot more homey,” Wilson said.
Wilson also had some concerns about the changes still taking place on campus, specifically the planting of greenery down the median of Hanna Avenue.
“I’m kind of curious to see how tall the plantings will be in there, because I know cars might have trouble seeing anyone who is shorter or in a wheel chair,” Wilson said. “However, I think they [landscapers] are planning on having smaller plantings. So it shouldn’t be too much of a problem. They will just have to be really consistent with maintenance and making sure the plants stay low, so that visibility is good.”
After the cutting of the ribbon ceremony refreshments were provided inside Esch Hall for all those who attended.
