Construction Visit

03/02/15

                Today, we toured the construction site at 906 W Nevada, Urbana. This site is being developed into a veteran center. We were able to see the process of constructing a building.

                The basement of the building is primarily home to the operating systems of the building. It contains all of the electrical panels and elevator operating room. It is made out of concrete. This building will have two elevators to accommodate the possibly disabled users of the building.

                The first floor has a very open feel, even in construction. There will be a kitchen installed and an open lounge space. There are large windows on all sides, giving those inside a full view of their surroundings. This was needed to give the veterans a sense of safety. The kitchen will be used to help disabled veterans learn how to use modified appliances.

                The second floor will have offices, class rooms, and a physical therapy exercise room. The third floor will be dedicated to those veterans who will live in the center. Each room will have the capability of being handicap accessible, as a lift system can be set up.

                The building process is very future oriented. For example, all of the wires must be in precise place for the future appliances that might use them. Even some of the best laid plans don’t pan out. There is a bathroom on the first floor that has a few things in the ceiling that will need to be accessed for maintenance. However, they are in multiple places. So, even though for bathrooms it is more desirable to have a hard ceiling with an access panel, this bathroom will have a drop ceiling, for easier access. 

Mt Hope Cemetery

3/31/15

                On today’s tour, we visited the Mt Hope Cemetery. Built long before the university even existed, it has become integrated into the campus. It was built on the highest ground around to stop the graves from flooding. Now, it simply exists on the outskirts of the main campus, displaying names, both familiar and unfamiliar, of people past.

                The first part of the cemetery we visited was a building right against the entrance. This place houses many of the above ground graves. Inside, all of the walls were lined with large stone panels, displaying the names of those who lay behind. Some of the panels had multiple names displayed, some of those hadn’t died yet. This practice shows the value some place on being buried next to their spouses or family.

                Outside, gravestones stretch out, all varying in size, seemingly placed arbitrarily. However, as we walked around, groupings seemed to emerge. The first group we walked through were the Jewish graves. Here, stones were placed on the headstones of graves, marking the visits of loved ones. We then walked through a few military areas of various wars. Each grave in this area had the person’s military involvement of the stone. Then, we were met with a large grassy area. This was left as a potter’s field, for the deceased who were left unidentified.

More familiar names were seen on the edge of the cemetery, facing Memorial Stadium. Those who were involved with the school were placed in there to represent their commitment to the university, even in death.

                Some people’s graves stick out more than others. Those who were richer had far more elaborate graves. Many people had obelisks that rise high into the sky and some have markers to claim a certain plot for their family.

                Overall, the cemetery is a direct representation of those who live and lived in the surrounding area.