Oak Grove to be student gathering space

Update Aug. 1, 2022: Thanks for all of the great suggestions. The space at Manchester where the Administration Building stood will be a gathering space for students known as Oak Grove. 

In case you were wondering what will happen with the area where the Administration Building and fountain once stood, Alexis Young and Brady Forman have no intention of letting that space go unused.

Young, assistant vice president for facilities and auxiliary service, and Forman, grounds supervisor, have designed a new area for students to gather.
                
Along with a carpet of grass, the space will contain Adirondack chairs, fire pits and concrete cornhole boards for students. Other additions include patches of taller grass around the firepits to give them a more secluded atmosphere, some oak trees to replace those that fell during and after the Administration Building’s demolition, and additional lighting.

All this work – apart from the added electrical work for the lighting – will be completed by MU staff. This allows us to do the work economically and quickly.
                
Manchester University has also removed and intends to repair the fountain that sat behind the Administration Building. This reconstruction is due in part to a generous gift from the Class of 1969. The fountain will be part of the new green space under the trees.
                                
Alexis said the space will offer students another a new gathering place, another “outside home.”
                
While the timeline for construction is not set in stone, she hopes this will be complete by the end of August, just in time for returning students to enjoy it. 

Written by Carly Greaves, academic intern in communications and media relations.

April 2022