College gives free passes to Adams Street residents
"Thank you."
Two simple words that mean so much but aren't said as often as they should be.
Tabor College President Larry Nikkel wanted to make sure residents in the 200, 300, and 400 blocks of South Adams Street knew how much he and the college appreciated their patience while Adams Street was torn up and reconstructed this past spring and summer.
"It was a city project but it appeared to be a Tabor project," Nikkel explained. The reason was the street project was going on at the same time new residence townhouses were being built on the college campus.
Most residents understand that progress is sometimes messy and inconvenient.
When those blocks of Adams Street were torn up and replaced, 25 residents soon realized just how messy and inconvenient it can be.
For nearly five months, residents did not have access to their driveways in front of their houses because of construction of the street and new townhouses.
The city street project was a result of the college's request for underground electrical lines and other improvements having to do with the new residence halls.
In return, those residents recently received a "thank you" letter and family activity passes from Nikkel.
"Tabor wants to be a positive part of this community," he said.
Those residents received free access to most athletic, drama, and musical events during the 2007-08 school year.
One elderly resident said there were some difficult days when she had to carry groceries from a side street to her house but appreciates the results of the inconvenience.
Future plans for the college may include closing a part of Madison Street to make it part of the college mall. C Street near the college would become a cul-de-sac, Nikkel said, but there is no timeline on those improvements.
With the project completed and life back to normal, the Adams Street residents will enjoy a season of sports, plays, and concerts — a "thank you" from Tabor College every time the free pass is used.
