Daniel Scarpinato

Forget the memorial union, the new center of campus is west of Park

If you've been around campus long enough you know that the gigantic student union in the middle of campus, which has been called the largest in North America (without an attached hotel, that is) symbolizes the sacrifices tens of thousands of students made over the course of five semesters.

The destruction of the old Memorial Student Union and subsequent construction of the new Student Union Memorial Center in unison with the planting of the underground Integrated Learning Center tied up the center of campus for more than two years.

Unfortunately, many of the students who were late to class because the construction never got to see the results of these major projects.

Today, campus construction continues. But it's no longer zeroed in on the Mall. It's made its way on the edges of campus, where the impacts on daily campus life are limited.

Funny, because despite all the hype about "A new U" and all the sacrifices that were made in the process, it's the smaller, less publicized projects that are happening today that will really transform the UA and campus life.

For years, the neighborhood to the west, identified mostly by Park Avenue and University Blvd., has been a playground for UA students and faculty.

But now, the UA will be spilling over more than ever, with departments like Journalism and Middle Eastern Studies moving to the five-story tower (by Tucson standards) that is currently under construction on Park Avenue. In addition, an expanded Park Student Union (which the Wildcat is a partner in) will draw in students and new dorms will definitely bring more people into the area. Add new shops along University to the mix and the district becomes a gateway to Fourth Avenue.

As the area re-develops and becomes an enjoyable hot spot, developers would be smart to cash in and build private housing along University. Some already have begun.

Although they may not have been pressing needs both the Memorial Union and ILC projects were bold, innovative plans.

Still, it's the construction to the west that will redirect the flow of pedestrian and vehicular traffic, create new destinations for work and play and physically alter the appearance of the campus area.

What's happening west of campus is what organizers would love to see happen downtown ÷ the fusing of housing, retail and business into one dense place, thanks in large part to the Marshall Foundation. The difference is that the UA area holds a market for this kind of plan ÷ downtown might not.