Although the fence surrounding the construction area of the east walkway of the University Union is slated to come down next week, it will take more than a month until the outdoor seating is installed, said Don Tucker, assistant director of operations for the University Union.

The project consists of two phases and totals an addition of 150 outdoor seats.

Phase one, which will add 75 seats along the walkway, began in late January and was scheduled to be completed within six to eight weeks, according to a previous State Hornet article. But phase one has been delayed for various reasons.

Rain caused about two weeks of delay to phase one of the project and slow delivery by the seating manufacturer is the project’s latest hang up, Tucker said.

Phase two of the project, which encompasses the addition of 75 seats to the opposite side of the walkway and erecting a roof over the whole patio in that area, is scheduled to begin on April 1, Tucker said.

Phase two is scheduled to be completed three months after construction begins, according to Tucker.

Wireless Internet access for the additional seating area is scheduled to be available near completion of the entire project, Tucker said.

Norm Erickson can be reached at [email protected]