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WILKES-BARRE — With the Sordoni Art Gallery moved and expanded, the new media center unveiled, and extensive streetscape work already done, it may seem like Wilkes University’s renovation work is pretty far along.

Not even close. On an easel near the desk in his office, President Patrick Leahy has a slew of conceptual drawings showing extensive work expected to be completed in 2018 and 2019 as part of an estimated $100 million being spent on campus renovation.

For starters, there’s a new “Southern Gateway” project planned this year that will mimic the “East Gateway” unveiled last year: a large gray stone sidewalk punctuated by an overhead metal arch, leading to the southern entrance of the Henry Student Center, then continuing on the other side across West South Street to what is now a relatively unsightly loading dock for the Stark Learning Center, which will be redone to be a more inviting entrance into what is the university’s primary classroom building.

The East Gateway, which currently extends from the university safety headquarters on the east side of South Main Street to a large green way along the Stark building, will be extended through the green way to a new entrance into that structure. Renovations of the entire facade on that side have been underway for months.

“We had talked of tearing down the original 1957 east wing,” Leahy said, but decided to include it in larger renovations of the structure. Now the east side of the building is being remade into an expanded space for the engineering program, while the other side — which previously included the Sordoni Art Gallery — will be fixed up for the pharmacy program.

“There’s a growing demand for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) majors in this country,” Leahy said. “We want to help meet that need.”

All of that work should be done this summer, Leahy said, allowing the university to turn attention to the athletic fields across the river by Kirby Park.

Renditions for those plans show upgraded fields, a renovated baseball park, improvements to facilities and — perhaps more importantly — steps to make the whole complex more pedestrian friendly.

In particular, Leahy said, new walkways will connect the various fields and structures. Currently visitors have to walk along Northampton Street in places where there are only dirt paths or no real walkways to each location. The plans envision more of the gray stone-style walkways used in the campus gateways connecting everything on the west side of the river as well.

That work should be done sometime in 2019, Leahy said.

Wilkes University President Patrick Leahy discusses future plans for the university. 1/25/18. Sean McKeag | Times Leader
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/web1_TTL012618Leahy1.jpg.optimal.jpgWilkes University President Patrick Leahy discusses future plans for the university. 1/25/18. Sean McKeag | Times Leader

Patrick Leahy, Wilkes University president, talks about the future plan of Wilkes University in his office in the university’s Weckesser Hall. 1/25/18. Sean McKeag | Times Leader
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/web1_TTL012618Leahy2.jpg.optimal.jpgPatrick Leahy, Wilkes University president, talks about the future plan of Wilkes University in his office in the university’s Weckesser Hall. 1/25/18. Sean McKeag | Times Leader

By Mark Guydish

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Reach Mark Guydish at 570-991-6112 or on Twitter @TLMarkGuydish