Construction is underway at Southeast Missouri State University to renovate the stairs between the power plant and Brandt Hall as well as the exterior of the power plant building.

"Everyone will be pleasantly surprised and in awe of what we plan to do in that area," Angela Meyer, director of Facilities Management, said. "It's kind of nice to finally clean up that area and make it a little bit more pedestrian-friendly and more student-oriented as they go back and forth between their classes."

Because of the construction, students will have to avoid the stairs and surrounding area. Students are recommended to reroute to Cardiac Hill on the east side of campus and from Memorial to Parker Drive on the west side of campus to get to classes.

Cheney Drive will also be closed as well as the stairs leading to Brandt Hall from Towers.

The construction, which began last week, will demolish the existing stairs and then completely rebuild a new set of stairs, along with a new area for bench seating and garden landscaping.

"We will be including a wider staircase with the more appropriate grades that are necessary as well as a plaza area with seating," Meyer said. "We will be upgrading the lighting in that area as well as giving it more of a Southeast feel. So you will have the Redhawks decor, and we will be improving the landscaping in that area."

Meyer added that the project will also address some drainage issues that the university has encountered recently and improve the safety of the steep stairs.

"The boiler plant exterior is -- basically we are currently in the process of removing all last remaining coal fire equipment on the exterior of this facility," Meyer said. "So the elevators, the ash bins and anything that was remaining from the coal operation will be removed from the exterior, and that is actually under construction and expected to be completed through the end of May."

The university has been using a gas operation instead of coal for more than three semesters. The exterior will also get an upgrade of blocks, bricks and a synthetic version of stucco.

"We will also replace the roof on the plant, and if funding is available we'll enclose the coal pit and provide storage in that area for Facilities Management," Meyer said.

The stairs are scheduled to be completed by early August with the boiler plant exterior completed early October.

"[The renovation] will allow for better traffic flow as well as a place to kind of hang out," Meyer said. "It will be almost a destination point in some cases, so we are anxious to see how the students react when they come back to campus in the fall."

Chelsey Carron, a junior psychology major, is excited for the renovation.

"It's something that I'm looking forward to in the fall. I think it will make our campus look really nice and will be a good investment and renovation that will make the center of campus have a better feel than before," Carron said.

Carron said that she has heard of people falling down the stairs, including her roommate who skinned both of her shins. She added that with all of the snow and ice that Southeast got this year, there were times where she avoided them altogether.

Carron also felt that the outside of the power plant currently is an eyesore, but she really enjoys the painted promotions, which will stay a part of the building after the renovation.

"That's something that is kind of unique to Southeast, and I think that the project is going to be a great way to enhance that wall and highlight the student advertisements and make it a little less shady looking," Carron said.