Demolition of the pavement along 53rd Street on the UAFS campus has been removed allowing for the addition of sidewalks, gutters, and curbs in preparation for a new green way between the Baldor Technology Center and the Windgate Art & Design Building.
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Green space Created at 53rd Street Corridor
Written By: Tina Alvey Dale
The University of Arkansas 鈥� Fort Smith campus along 53rd Street between the Baldor Technology Center and the Windgate Art & Design Building is being transformed into a landscaped green space.
Demolition of the pavement along 53rd Street, which began the last week of March, is now complete. With that task out of the way, crews are working diligently on construction of sidewalks, gutters, and curbs is underway, which will be completed soon, barring heavy rain, said Samantha Gillespie, director of facilities and environmental safety.
鈥淭his project is part of our long-term strategy to increase campus beauty and walkability in alignment with our strategic plan,鈥� Gillespie said.
Topsoil will be added over the next few weeks and then sod will be laid. Gillespie said the space should be usable by summer.
鈥淚 anticipate this to be a space similar to the greens throughout campus where students are able to enjoy the space,鈥� Gillespie said. 鈥淭here will be new landscaping at Windgate that will be in close proximity.鈥�
None of the planned work should cause any disruption for students, faculty, or staff.
The Windgate Art & Design Building expansion project reached a visible milestone in November with the completion of the main addition and a new public entrance.
The expansion, which began in late 2024, adds nearly 19,000 square feet of new and renovated space to the university鈥檚 visual arts hub. Highlights will include a book arts facility, art collection study and art handling spaces, a woodshop, ceramics studio, digital fabrication studios, faculty studios, an outdoor terrace and classroom, and a public caf茅. The project is designed to enhance the university鈥檚 creative footprint while inviting the wider River Valley community into a more active role with campus visual arts programming.
The Windgate expansion is expected to be fully completed by summer, with a grand opening planned for the fall.