The University of Chicago has reopened the center of the Main Quadrangles after a summer-long restoration project aimed at improving sustainability and accessibility. The project focused on enhancing the scenic corridor at the heart of UChicago’s campus-wide botanic garden.

Key improvements include a redesigned pavement system that mimics sandstone while being more durable and accessible, a new stormwater detention system to improve drainage, and hundreds of new plantings. The plantings consist of a mix of pollinator-friendly native and non-native plants intended to beautify the pathways.

The changes were informed by extensive feedback from the UChicago community on ways to improve this central area, which was converted into a pedestrian walkway in 2009.

“We are excited to welcome our UChicago community back to a newly beautified and modernized Main Quad,” said Katie Martin Peck, associate director for campus environment, who led the landscape architecture redesign. “These pathways lead students, faculty, staff and visitors to the heart of our campus, and people will be delighted to see the historic character of the architecture and landscape have been elevated, and the paths more accommodating.”