SPRINGTIME CAMPUS RENEWAL BRINGS MORE TREES AND MORE HOUSING

Springtime on the Pratt Brooklyn campus

The coming of spring brings with it further beautification efforts to enhance Pratt’s Brooklyn campus. To promote the growth of foliage, the Office of Facilities Management has installed temporary fences for several weeks along Grand Avenue, South Walkway, Newman Plaza, and certain areas along Ryerson Walk.

Twenty-three new zelkova trees have just been planted as part of the completion of the Hiroko Nakamoto (Interior Design ’55) Grand Walk project and the Bruce Newman (B.F.A. Interior Design ’53) Mall project. The new trees are located on the East Mall adjacent to Steuben Hall, at the Grand Walk Main Gate entrance, and near the library.

Thanks to Mayor Bloomberg's MillionTreesNYC and New York Restoration Project, an additional 38 new trees were planted along the Classon and DeKalb Avenue fence lines and in the area adjoining the Engineering Quadrangle. Many are cherry trees that blossom at various times and face the challenge of summer’s hot weather, but will benefit from periodic watering and mulching by in-house Facilities staff, who also care for the Rose Garden. 

To provide additional living space for students, 27 townhouses on the Brooklyn campus (formerly used to house faculty) are being converted to student residences; each will house six students. In August, the first 24 students will move into four renovated townhouses, which feature kitchens and baths with modern fixtures. Constructed between 1905 and 1910, the townhouses are located along Willoughby Avenue, Steuben Place, and Emerson Place. The houses are recognized by the New York City Landmarks Commission and contribute to the historic character of the Pratt campus.

Reflecting on the importance of the Pratt campus to the Class of 2011, graduating senior Jennifer L. Stohlmann said, “We appreciate the luxury of seeing beauty everywhere we look."

Photo: © Bob Handelman