The reopening of the San José State University Tower Lawn is nearing finalization. 

The lawn was fenced off throughout the summer and beginning of fall semester while crews installed new underground conduit and lighting fixtures, according to the SJSU Facilities Development and Operations website.

Though SJSU FD&O  has removed netting around the lawn, they have kept up signs requesting students stay off freshly-planted grass “until the roots are strong.”

There were no university-wide communications notifying students of the opening.

There had been a lack of communication to inform students about the project’s progress, according to Senior Director of Media Relations Michelle Smith McDonald.

Smith McDonald said the FD&O team is working endlessly to send status updates to students through the Sammy App.

The Tower Lawn Lighting Improvement project replaces some of the outdated infrastructure with “a modern, reliable, and energy-efficient lighting system,” according to the FD&O website.

According to Smith McDonald, the goal is to improve safety on campus. The new renovations will also have a new electrical power station, which is expected to enhance campus events and evening activities.

Thomas Wetzel, a resident of downtown San José who regularly walks his dogs on campus, said the reopening sent a mixed message.

“I want the grass to grow back as well, but I feel like they need to do a better job,” Wetzel said.

Additionally, Smith McDonald mentioned that the lawn was scheduled to be completed before the start of the Fall semester. 

Tower Hall features a 105-foot bell tower that has clocks and chimes, as it was designed in the Spanish Revival Design according to the SJSU Tower Foundation

Wetzel, who said he previously worked in landscaping, believed the university could have done a better job rolling out the grass.

“I know it’s expensive, but they just came through here with some trucks that had foundation or something and just sprayed it down, and they’re just hoping it’s gonna fill in,” Wetzel said. 

The Tower Hall was finished in 1924, and it is the most signature building on the 

SJSU Campus, according to SJSU Tower Foundation

He said he thought the university should have accounted for California’s dry climate in its efforts to restore the landscape in areas impacted by underground work. 

“We don’t get enough natural rainfall here for that (lawn regrowth) to happen,” Wetzel said. “If this was on the East Coast, it wouldn’t be a problem. You’d have grass back organically pretty quick. There’s no moisture here at all. Nothing’s gonna grow there.”

According to the  SJSU Tower Foundation, the tower is going to go under major refurbishment in an effort to safeguard the tower’s historic charm in addition to maintaining its up-to-date needs. 

He said the university should have used sod that was grown in and transplanted from a more temperate climate to refill the lawn’s empty patches.

“I understand that things might not be perfect, but hopefully they’ll take a look at the problem areas and do what’s necessary to get them fixed,” Wetzel said.

A construction worker told Wetzel that they had discovered squirrel tunnels in the ground where they installed new power stations.

The scope of the refurbishment is to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act by adding

an interior ramp, accessible restrooms, and an entrance that provides a sufficient space for everyone. 

Elina Nguyen, a first-year animation and illustration student at SJSU, thinks the lawn is a nice place to study when the weather is cooler.

“I haven’t really explored (the campus) that much, but when I do get to it, I think it would be nice if (other spaces) were open.”