The University of Memphis will close its Central Avenue parking lot beginning May 9 as part of a major renovation of the lot. The work is expected to take approximately 16 weeks to complete.

An information session for faculty, staff and students will be held April 14 at 2:30 p.m. in the University Center Fountain View Suite to discuss the project, as well as proposed major changes to Central Avenue adjacent to campus.

The first phase of the Central Avenue Safety Project centers on the parking lot where major renovations of the lot will occur throughout the summer. These include more crosswalk accessibility, more spaces for visitors and those with disabilities, installation of security cameras, improved drainage, enhanced landscaping and restriping the lot in a north/south direction rather than east/west.

Future changes to Central Avenue adjacent to campus will include installation of a center median with low-level landscaping, and the addition of bike lanes on both the north and south sides of the street. A four-way intersection at Central and Zach Curlin has been proposed with a new entrance to the Central Avenue parking lot included.

Tony Poteet, assistant vice president for campus planning and design, said the project will provide a responsive design for a walkable and bikeable community, greatly improve pedestrian safety and maintain an open, connected campus edge integrated into the neighborhood.

“The goal of the project is singular – to protect the safety of students and other pedestrians crossing Central,” he said.

More information about the Central Avenue Safety Project is available at http://www.memphis.edu/centralave.htm.