Concrete barriers to replace chains
Campus officials said they have funding for two out of four of the barriers.
Published Dec. 5, 2006
MU presented a proposal to the Columbia City Council Monday that would build new barriers for streets on campus that are closed during school days.
The council heard the first reading of the plan on Monday night.
The plan would replace the signs and chains on Hitt Street near University Avenue and Rollins Street, on Ninth Street near University Avenue and on Conley Avenue near Missouri Avenue.
"They are city streets, and so this does need city approval," Campus Facilities Director Phil Shocklee said.
The plan would place a median in the street with a concrete and stone column in the middle of the median. A pole on one side of the street would connect a chain to the column to block entrance to the street when the street is closed.
"We want to replace the signs and chains with a little more permanent barrier," Shocklee said. "It would make the campus more attractive, too."
Shocklee said he was unsure how much the project would cost or which of the four locations would be constructed first.
"Based upon city approval, we would like to start as soon as weather would permit," Shocklee said. "We have funding in place for two of the four locations."
Shocklee said the plan has been in the works for some time.
"What's there was originally intended to be temporary when the streets were closed off a long time ago, and this would be something more permanent and more attractive," he said. "We've been looking at looking for something more permanent for some time."
The barriers come after part of Rollins Street was closed during the day for the first time this year for a trial of two semesters.