en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Clark-JE Dunn joint venture has completed the topping out of over 1,200 tons of structural steel and addressed key engineering challenges in installing new wheat stalk-shaped light poles for the University of Kansas' David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium and Gateway District reconstruction project. This milestone was reached in early July, marking significant progress in the installation of a new bowl structure on the east side of the university stadium in Lawrence, Kansas, along with a permanent lighting system.
The stadium renovation is part of the broader KU Gateway District mixed-use development project at the University of Kansas. In addition to rebuilding the east stands and expanding seating, the area will include a hotel, restaurants, office space, student housing, an underground parking garage, and a public plaza. Phase one of the project was completed in 2025, adding seats to the north and west stands, upgrading the playing field, installing new video displays, and enhancing the player tunnel. Phase two focuses on rebuilding the east stands and completing the surrounding Gateway District.
Inspired by the image of Kansas wheat swaying in the wind, these new light poles are designed to honor the state's agricultural heritage while echoing the "waving wheat" tradition of Jayhawk fans raising their arms after touchdowns. Chris Desko, project director for the Clark-JE Dunn joint venture, stated that installing these poles became one of the biggest logistical challenges of phase two. Early plans called for two existing east-side light poles to remain in use during construction and be removed after the 2026 season. However, as the permanent steel structure design progressed, the team discovered that the old poles would occupy the same space as the new bowl structure, making their later removal nearly impossible due to limited crane access.
To avoid delaying construction or jeopardizing future night games, the Clark-JE Dunn team accelerated the fabrication and installation of 19 permanent wheat stalk poles months ahead of schedule. These poles surround the north, east, and west sides of the horseshoe-shaped stadium, reaching up to 135 feet above the field. Each pole varies in height and supports 6 to 12 lighting fixtures to illuminate the playing field. The team removed the old poles, reused existing lighting fixtures on the new poles, relocated electrical equipment, and temporarily connected the permanent lighting system to power in time for the team's 2026 season. The lighting arrays were assembled and angled on the ground, then hoisted into place by two cranes working in tandem to lift the fully assembled structures.
David Young, project director for the Clark-JE Dunn joint venture, noted that the tight construction schedule left little room for delays. From the demolition of the east stands, the team had less than eight months to remove the old structure, erect the new lower bowl and concourse, and make the wheat stalk poles and lighting system operational. This milestone allows the project to provide full field lighting for the University of Kansas' first Friday night home game on September 4, while ensuring stadium construction continues without interruption. Banks Floodman, development director for Edgemoor/Sunflower Partners and a former University of Kansas football player, stated that the structural steel topping out reflects both personal and community commitment. Chris Desko said that with the structural steel complete, workers are now shifting focus to enclosing the stadium and advancing interior work, moving the project toward completion.
