By: Adaobi Ezeani (Whetstone Contributor)

The long announced college make-over is on its way.

After receiving all of the money and grants needed for the $1.4 million campus-wide streetscape change of the college, Wesley has finally received a contract with the City of Dover to begin the project.

What was supposed to have been a three-part project will now be one.

Work will begin by the city replacing water and sewage pipes on the south side of the school, including the front of Zimmerman and Roe halls. The north side will be next, in front of Williams, Gooding and Roe halls, including new trees and benches.

The actual streetscaping will begin after Finals week in April and should be finished by the beginning of fall semester.

“The original plan was to begin work in the front of the school and then work their way to the back and then add the aesthetics,” said Student Government Association President Tanner Polce.  “In about three weeks the college should be expecting to hear drilling going on around campus.”

“Because all the funds are available, the school is able to complete the project in one shot,” said Bryan Zarou, SGA vice president.

Several people said they felt oddly about this.

SGA representatives asked Polce during the organization’s Feb. 6 meeting why the drilling wouldn’t begin until the summer when students weren’t on campus.

“This is because of the way the contract was done with the city of Dover,” Polce said. “If we were to wait any longer, we might have been waiting for a very long time.”

The streetscape project was proposed in 2008, and has been waiting for the money and city approval.

SGA donated about $20,000 toward the cost.

Polce said the project is very important and believes that it will “better secure the campus.”

Some students said the streetscaping may cause problems with parking.

“So that means when we come back next year, I’m not going to be able to pull in front of Zimmerman to unload,” said Jamie Stokes.

You will be able to, said Chris Wood, vice president for institutional advancement.

“There will be bollards (short posts) at the end of the street that can be removed,” Wood said, “and will be when students are moving in. The pavers that will go down will support fire trucks and emergency vehicles.”

For every parking spot removed, there will be additional parking added, the college said.

“I think the project will be a huge benefit to the college,” said Sarah Smith, director of student activities. “It will provide more of a collegial surrounding while also decreasing the amount of traffic safety incidences on campus. I’m excited to see the final project and all the ways it can better Wesley.”

There is access: there will be ballards at the end of the street that can be removed, and will be when students are moving in. the pavers that will go down will support fire turcks and emergency vehicles.