As the STEM@DRAKE buildings near completion, work will begin on the Robert D. and Billie Ray Promenade (formerly 27th Street) and parking lot.

Phase 1: The parking lot south of Opperman Hall will be resurfaced and a new entrance off of Forest Avenue will be built beginning around July 15. Completion is scheduled for Aug. 24. Please use the fine arts parking lot during the construction period.

Phase 2: Construction will begin on the new parking lot and the Robert D. and Billie Ray Promenade around Aug. 1. Phase 2 includes a new water main; a new grading plan for the area; and new, improved walkways along the 27th Street corridor. This project should be wrapped up on Dec. 1. Please use the fine arts parking lot or the parking lot located at 25th Street and Forest Avenue during the construction period.

Phase 3: Construction of a new turnaround at the corner of 25th Street and Carpenter Avenue will begin Aug. 29, with completion scheduled for Dec. 1. Phase 3 was added to the construction project to allow incoming students to move into Jewett Residence Hall.

To see where construction is taking place, refer to the 27th Street Logistics Plan.

The following message will be sent to new students moving into Jewett Hall next week:

The Fall 2017 academic term is just around the corner and we are preparing for your return to campus. There are a few bits of information we want to share with you to help with your return to campus. There has been significant progress on the new STEM building this summer. This includes the closing and planned removal of the Jewett Residence Hall parking lot, as well as the closing of 27th Street.
 
Please note that due to the 27th Street and Jewett parking lot closure, we have made arrangements to allow 30-minute vehicle unloading to occur on Painted Street in front of Jewett Residence Hall on Friday, August 25, and Saturday, August 26, between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.  Vehicles may enter from 25th Street onto Carpenter Avenue. Des Moines Police will be available to direct traffic. Cars may unload on the north side of painted street then circle and depart on the south side of painted street. 
 
If you are arriving at a time other than these designated times, you may park in the Olmsted parking lot to unload your vehicle. There will also be a small 15-minute unloading zone located at the corner of Carpenter Avenue and 27th Street.
 
Please note that the Olmsted parking lot is not an overnight parking lot. Students who need overnight parking will need to relocate their vehicles to lot 25A across University Avenue.

The new mailing address for Jewett Hall is 2700 Forest Avenue.

—Jolene Schmidt, Facilities Planning & Management