University administrators unveiled an ambitious new project on Monday, when they announced plans for all campus sidewalks to be torn up and replaced with Venice, Italy-style canals.
Maintenance costs for the current sidewalks have become far too high, UR Facilities said in a press release. The press release went on to say that repairing potholes, plowing the sidewalks in the winter, and keeping them free of ice is too much work. We started looking into other, lower-maintenance materials. And water seemed like a really good option.”
The administration has worked closely with several student organizations on this project, including the varsity fishing team, UR Kayakers, and Gondoliers Without Borders.
Responding to concerns from the student body, President Seligman pointed out that, once the weather drops below freezing, students probably won’t even notice the new canals.
“Numerous members of the chemistry faculty have assured me that water becomes solid at temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit,” Seligman said in an interview. “Students will be able to walk or ice skate on the frozen canals, and I don’t think they’ll be any more slippery than normal winter conditions.”
At press time, sources were unable to confirm whether the canal project would be expanded to include the Eastman School of Music. A facilities spokesperson said, “Eastman isn’t really an ideal location for canals, and I’m not sure all that moisture would be good for the instruments. If enough students express interest, I suppose we could flood the basement or something.”
Passanisi is a member of
the class of 2017.
