Scott Kupperman and Dave Hiltey, employees of the Epstein and Sons architectural firm in Chicago, met with the Faculty Senate Tuesday to discuss two alternate plans for the Seventh Street project.

The project involves closing down the campus side of Seventh Street to create a dual walkway for pedestrians. At present, the plan is to have the street lined with trees, contain brick paved areas and ornamental lighting.

Vehicular and pedestrian access, along with parking, were major concerns of some members of the faculty senate.

“A computer simulation (virtual tour) would be nice for people anticipating the quality of change,” said senate member Charles Everly. “It would be exceedingly useful in reducing rejections of what might be here.”

Two alternate plans were presented, the second plan being the preference of Epstein and Sons firm.

“(Alternate two) limits vehicular access and keeps trucks isolated,” Kupperman said.

Using the second plan would call for the relocation of Johnson Street, so trucks can go directly into the parking lot of the steam plant without turning on to Seventh Street. Under the first plan, Johnson Street would not be moved, making it necessary to travel on certain areas of Seventh Street to get to the steam plant.

However, Kupperman did point out that the design is subject to change a number of times before a final draft is decided upon. Also, Kupperman informed the senate that the project could be completed in pieces, instead of closing off the whole street for construction.

Everly said doing the project in pieces is in the best interest of recruitment.

Kupperman said the firm’s current priority is to analyze how the university uses Seventh Street and to draw out all of the needs of university constituents.

“We want to minimize time and make sure all needs are addressed, so day-to-day life will continue,” Kupperman said.

In other senate business, faculty senate chair James Tidwell passed along the governor’s recommendation for Eastern’s allocations in the 2002 fiscal year.

Three of Eastern’s requests for operating expenses were not reccomended by the governor. Requests were denied for over $98,000 in crucial operating expenses. The $60,300 requested for utilities and the $37,800 for library acquisitions were not recommended by the governor.

The governor also did not pass on a recommendation for the requested $2.5 million for the chilled water loop.

“A spit in the ocean,” as Tidwell called it, is the $156,700 reccomended by the governor for deferred maintenance. Eastern requested $750,000 in this area.

“Our only recourse now is lobbying,” Tidwell said.