I write to provide details on questions raised in an op-ed published by The College Voice, “The Crozier-Plex Connector Still Isn’t Finished. Where Do We Go From Here?”
The Cro-Plex project began on May 28, 2025, and was substantially completed on June 5, 2026. When construction of a building is complete, it is static. However, landscaping takes longer to settle and grow in. The College has continued to monitor drainage after storms, soil settlement and the condition of the lawns and plantings and will continue to do so. This will include site visits by the architect and inspections through September 2027. The transformation of Cro Blvd into a pedestrian promenade was originally the vision of current Trustee John Zeiler ‘74, when he was a student at Conn. The project was part of the College’s two most recent campus master plans.
It is important to note that College funds were not diverted from other needs to cover the cost of this approximately $6.02 million project. The work was funded by donor‑restricted gifts designated for campus improvements (including Horizon House, Cro‑Boulevard, and Cro‑Plex) and could not be reallocated for other purposes. The College expresses its gratitude to Rob ’88 and Karen Hale P’20, and Trustee John D. Linehan P’18 ’23 ’24 and his wife, Elizabeth, for their generosity to fund these specific projects.
The op-ed noted concerns with regard to the navigability of the walkways. The project prioritized universal access, so designers prioritized continuous, gently sloped walkways rather than stairs with separate ADA‑style ramps. With that priority in mind, the design of the walkways was dictated by a surprisingly complex grade change between the Plex and Cro and underground utility structures. The intent was a single, inclusive route to Harris Dining Hall, so no member of our community is othered by needing a separate ramp.
On the first night of Welcome Weekend, it was wonderful to see students quickly make use of and enjoy the new outdoor spaces upon their return to campus. Since then I’ve had the opportunity to see students using the lawn for recreational activities and hosting music events and other social gatherings along Cro Blvd and the Cro-Plex connector. I look forward to seeing how the new outdoor spaces increasingly become a part of everyone’s life on campus
Please know that I am always happy to share information about efforts to enhance our Arboretum campus to clarify project goals, accessibility choices, and financial details on these projects before an article is published.
Justin R. Wolfradt, MSM CM, FMP
Associate Vice President, Facilities Management and Campus Planning
