Cruz Plaza: It’s Almost Here!

            Mercer residents, rejoice! Soon we will be rid of dump trucks, bulldozers, and obnoxious detours around campus! As most of you are undoubtedly aware, Mercer has been having some construction done on campus, and it is finally nearing completion. For almost nine months now, we have put up with the center of campus being walled off, deviating a majority of foot traffic. We have endured the shrill whirrs and shrieks of construction vehicles, and bore the sight of the ugly pit that used to be the Quad turned into a field of mud and rock. But by the end of August, we will have reached the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel.

            And the general consensus? “Finally!” Students and faculty alike are ready for Cruz Plaza, and it’s easy to see why. We’ll once again have access to the main thoroughfare of campus, as well as gaining an architecturally pleasant addition to Mercer. The sense of relief for students and professors is palpable; just about everyone was tired of taking long detours around campus, especially those of us living in the apartments on the other side of campus! Most of us are just glad to be rid of the chain link fences, gravel footpaths, and loud construction vehicles, understandably enough, but Cruz Plaza has more to offer than simple convenience of walking.

            Students and professors are already generating ideas for events and activities to be held at Cruz Plaza. The plaza will maintain a field, roughly where Porter Patch used to be, so there are still plenty of opportunities for cookouts, music festivals, sports, readings, lectures, and much more to take place. Major development has allowed for large gathering areas and paths, both allowing for ease of foot traffic and providing plenty of space to set up tables or booths for clubs and organizations. The introduction of a waterfall similar to the one found in Mercer Village will also be installed, creating a nice backdrop for photos and making a centerpiece for any events to be held on the plaza. Once students are back on campus and experience Cruz Plaza, there is no doubt we’ll be seeing it put to good use!  

             Although it seems like we’ve had to endure the construction of the plaza forever, it will be over by the end of August. In fact, a dedication has been planned for Cruz Plaza to celebrate the completion of one of Mercer’s most crucial construction projects to date. The dedication will take place on Friday, August 30th at 6 P.M. Everyone is invited to attend, so make sure to head over and witness a historic moment for both Mercer University and the students and professors who will benefit from it in the years to come!