McKeldin Mall will reopen Friday after more than four months of construction, said Bill Olen, Facilities Management director of capital projects.
“The last two sidewalks are expected to be opened this afternoon, with the remaining sod installed tomorrow,” he wrote in an email. “The heavy multi-day rain event last week held up the completion.”
The $2 million project to replace underground utility systems began May 26 and was originally expected to be complete by Aug. 26. However, heavy rain over the course of the summer delayed construction, and the completion date was first pushed back to Sept. 16, and then Sept. 26.
A new irrigation system, water line and storm drain were all installed to prevent flooding and improve the quality of the grass, according to a Diamondback article from September.
Phase two of the construction will begin next summer on the lower half of the mall.
Staff writer Lindsey Feingold contributed to this report.
