‘Anyone walking along the Boulevard will soon get a real promenade feel,’ says Dennis Groener, project manager for Construction at CFM. ‘That is why the Boulevard will become bike-free. To make this possible, we will create three large bicycle parking facilities at various points along the Boulevard.’ The Boulevard will also get new light-grey paving. The terrace of the Theatercafé will be expanded, while new outdoor sports facilities will be added near the Sports Centre. ‘This will really turn the area into a prime location on campus.’
One cohesive whole
According to Groener, there are several reasons, besides safety, for renovating the Boulevard. ‘The arrival of 117 student rooms in the three new Nests (2025) has brought more users, increasing pressure on the Boulevard. At the same time, the public space has become more fragmented due to all kinds of construction work and modifications.’
‘The changes now on the table should ensure that the Boulevard becomes a cohesive whole again.’ The users of the buildings along the Boulevard also have wishes for the new layout. The Sports Centre, for example, wants to better connect indoor and outdoor sports. ‘That is why we are placing additional fitness benches and outdoor sports facilities outside the Sports Centre. Think of places where you can do push-ups, a table tennis table, and a small fitness area with strength equipment. This will create space for small groups to exercise together outdoors,’ says Groener.
Impression of the renovated Boulevard.
There will also be additional seating near SPAR and Veste Wonen. ‘At the moment, there are too few places to sit, have lunch, or meet each other. We want to improve that in the new layout,’ says the project manager. More greenery will also be added at various points along the Boulevard. This will provide more shade and cooling on hot summer days.
As well as new additions, some elements will disappear. The outdoor artwork Information Plaza, also known as ‘the news ticker’, where people occasionally sit on top of it, will make way for bicycle parking facilities. ‘We are in talks with the artist and working towards removing the artwork. Although we do not yet have a date in the diary, the demolition of this object will formally mark the start of the renovation.’ As part of the renovation, Campus & Facility Management is also focusing on sustainability. Materials from the current layout will be reused wherever possible. The red and dark-grey paving tiles, for example, will be given a new purpose at the new bicycle parking facilities.
A safer Oude Drienerloweg
CFM will also tackle the Oude Drienerloweg. The current route will be clearly divided into a footpath and a cycle path. According to Groener, this will improve both safety and traffic flow.
‘This has been a long-standing wish for many people, because the current path causes a lot of complaints and irritation,’ he says. In between, there will also be ‘small islands’ that serve as resting points. ‘These can be used for art, relaxation, or an ice cream van in summer.’ The footpath and cycle path will be separated by a hedge, which will also contain the street lights to improve visibility and safety. The path will be six metres wide in total. ‘Despite the widening, no trees will need to be cut down,’ says Groener.
Start in 2027
The renovation will take place in phases from March 2027. The aim is to complete all the work by the end of that year. During the renovation, the Boulevard will remain accessible as much as possible. The Oude Drienerloweg will be closed to cyclists in sections and a temporary diversion will be provided.
The exact start date and phasing have not yet been determined. ‘We are currently in the tendering phase. We expect to appoint the company that will carry out the project around the Christmas period.’ It is also not yet known exactly where the work will begin. ‘We could start at the Vrijhof and work towards the outer areas, but starting at the Sports Centre is also an option,’ says Groener. ‘We depend on scheduled exams and events taking place at the buildings along the Boulevard. The reuse of paving materials will also partly determine the order in which the work is carried out,’ Groener adds.
Information Plaza: CONTROVERSIAL ARTWORK
The artwork Information Plaza is disappearing after thirty years on campus. But the work - also known as ‘the news ticker’ - has been the subject of debate before. Its future was already extensively discussed. The Executive Board considered the artwork unsuccessful and suggested, among other things, painting over it or adding benches and parasols. The proposals met with fierce criticism.
Read also: Information Plaza continues to stir debate.
Impression of the renovated Drienerloweg.
