With the Huss Center for Performing Arts construction project underway, students modify their routines to accommodate the blocked-off work zone and heavier traffic.

Construction leading to the Huss Center began in the old parking lot in front of Drake Arena on June 24, and is set to end in fall of 2015. Until then, construction dominates the surrounding area, altering car and student traffic.

Before construction began, St. Paul Academy and Summit School students could walk from the parking lots straight into the Lily Courtyard, but now they must walk around Drake Arena to enter the building.

Students have complained about the longer walk to school, but others see it as worthwhile in the long run.  “It’s for a good cause so I’m not too bothered by having a little detour,” senior Jackson Lea said.

Students won’t have to worry about taking the scenic route into school for much longer. Once it is safe to enter the construction area, a short path will reopen. “The path in front of Drake should be open again in mid-October,” Upper School Principal Chris Hughes said.

Worsened traffic can be attributed, in part, to the construction. Making Wheeler Street into a one-way leaving school means that all Upper Schoolers must enter the school through Juno Avenue and all Middle School students through Davern Street. Traffic is worst at those two remaining access points to SPA, where long, seemingly unmoving lines of cars wait each morning. Turning from Fairview Avenue onto Juno Avenue to get to the new parking lot has caused backups since construction started. “I’ve heard about traffic being worse,” sophomore Macy Blanchard said.

Currently the construction site contains mostly dirt and construction equipment, but soon the Huss Center will take form and house senior speeches, new classes, fine arts, and lounging areas.

While the current senior class won’t be at SPA to experience this much needed and much dreamed of facility, its importance is widely acknowledged. “I’ve been at SPA for a long time, so its good to know that after I go its going to be getting better,” Lea said.

This article was originally published in the September 2014 Print issue of The Rubicon.  The story can be seen in its original form by clicking on the “In Print” tab or at ISSUU.com.

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