After spending almost a year “shored up” by scaffolding, awaiting repair, the walkway connecting the UNF Arena and parking garage is coming down.

The walkway was hit by a Waste Management truck last July. In February, John Hale, Assistant Vice President of Physical Facilities, told Spinnaker the university was waiting to begin repairs until Waste Management’s insurance company came through with the funding.

Upon realizing the cost to tear down the walkway was similar to the cost of repairs, the choice was made to take it down, said Zak Ovadia, director of campus planning.

Ovadia described the walkway as an eyesore, going on to say that “tearing down the walkway aligned with a long-range plan to beautify the campus by installing a plaza between the student union and the arena. We want to add vegetation, trees, plants, and things people can enjoy looking at.”

Demolition will begin June 13 and continue through the first week of August. Ovadia said the demolition would remove the walkway, all the way down to the steps across from the landmark Osprey Fountain.

During the initial tear-down, UNF Drive will be closed as a safety precaution. Ovadia said they didn’t want to risk people or vehicles being around as pieces of concrete were coming down.

He said this will not inhibit the use of the arena garage.