Supplementary projects around La Salle

By Frank Visco
Senior Editor
August 29, 2007

Unwilling to rest on its laurels after successfully completing the colonization of south campus two years ago, La Salle has begun preparations to breach the western frontier. A great deal of effort, and an even greater sum of money, has been put into the project.

That being said, the school has proven it will not forget about the existing landscape in the process of expanding campus. Proof of this can be seen in the many projects that were completed this summer and others that are in various stages of development. Dean of Students, Dr. Joseph J. Cicala has given the credit to Bob Kroh, Director of Physical Facilities, and his team.

“I’m really grateful to our associates in physical facilities for all the work they’ve done and plan to do to improve campus facilities internally and externally,” Cicala said. “The grounds crew has done some very fine work.”

Various projects the administration is working on:

Where’s Benilde Hall? Most returning students may have noticed that a large body of dirt now resides where Benilde Hall once stood. But what happened to the employees that held offices there? And why was the building knocked down?

The departments that had worked out of the building, including University Minisitry and Services and public relations, have since moved on to new homes in College Hall, the Administration building and Germantown Hospital. The reason for the move and demolition: La Salle is preparing for the renovation and expansion of the science and technology center (i.e. Holroyd Hall).

Aesthetic improvements concerning landscaping Many aesthetic changes have been made and will continue to be made to the La Salle landscape over the course of the new school year. The rose garden that formerly featured prominently in between Benilde and Holroyd Hall was removed roots intact, and has since been planted behind McShain Hall.

In addition, Flower gardens, along with new metallic benches, have also been installed inside the North Dorms area. Last, Physical Facilities is examining several proposals for landscaping outside of St. Basil Court.

Good Shepherd transformation into the Shoppes at La Salle Part of the Good Shepherd parking lot is slated to become the Shoppes at La Salle. Ground breaking for the $ 12 million job should commence sometime this fall and finish in fall 2008. Fresh Grocer, Starbuck’s Café, FedEx/Kinko’s Office and Print Service and Gamestop are stores expected to occupy the shopping center.

While the new shops have some students worried that the limited parking at La Salle will decrease even further, the addition of West Campus is allotting more parking spaces on that side of campus.

These projects are just three of the many projects the school has planned for the near future.

Viscof1@lasalle.edu