The plaza in front of Day and Stimson halls is about to undergo a facelift that is designed to improve the safety of the area and beautify a major entryway to Cornell University.

"The plaza serves as a front door to the university, both figuratively and literally," said Philip L. Cox, director of facilities management. "For several years we have been hoping to improve the landscaping in front of Day Hall to present the same sort of image to our visitors that we strive for with the rest of our magnificent campus grounds. In addition, safety concerns resulting from the uneven surface make this work a necessity."

The work on the two buildings facing East Avenue, which is expected to begin the second week of July and continue into the fall, will involve some disruptions in front of both buildings. Demolition and replacement of the basket weave concrete and brick pavement that forms most of the existing plaza, which has resulted in uneven walking surfaces, will be the first steps of the project. This work will be completed within a few weeks but will necessitate barring for a few days the front doors of Day Hall, the university's main administration building, and the basement entrance to Stimson Hall, which houses biological sciences and the university Ombudsman's Office.

The driveway to the Day Hall parking lot also will be repaved, and the parking lot and access to the Stimson Hall loading area will be closed for a few days. Alternative handicapped parking is being arranged in cooperation with the Cornell Transportation office.

The plaza will be reconstructed from the area just north of the Harold D. Uris bench in front of Day Hall to the steps in front of Stimson Hall. To allow for pedestrian traffic, the work will stop short of East Avenue by about 18 feet. Reconstruction of this curb-side portion of sidewalk will be deferred for a year or more.

The loss of the Bradford pear trees during last November's storm left the plaza denuded, and new tree planter beds will be built, although actual tree planting will be delayed until fall. The two large katsura trees that flank the entrance to Day Hall will remain, but the other overgrown ornamental plantings along the northeast corner of the building will be removed. Granite benches and seating walls, harmonizing with the Uris bench, will be constructed to permit greater use of the plaza as a gathering area for visitors and staff. Improved lighting will be installed.