Water has returned to Mirror Lake.

Construction of the centerpiece of the historic Mirror Lake District started in late 2016. The lake has remained largely empty since then – filled with backhoes and construction workers. That’s changing.

Work crews continue to install walkways, add landscaping and refine some of the features surrounding the new Mirror Lake. Now the area looks more like the iconic campus location that it was and less like a construction site. An opening date in mid-August is expected.

“I think the biggest change in my mind is it is going to look a lot more open than it did before. We’ve pulled some of the perimeter planting back and we’ll be planting the lake edge. It will have a much softer edge,” said University Landscape Architect Steve Volkmann.

Volkmann said one of the improvements that has him excited about the renovated Mirror Lake is the increase in seating. New benches, overlooks and terraces and scarlet Adirondack chairs will encircle the area.

A technology upgrade will see Wi-Fi access throughout the district. That should allow students to study or faculty to teach in the area.