This summer has seen a great deal of progress in our efforts to improve campus and its infrastructure, thanks to a slate of state-funded construction projects. While disruptions may continue to occur, the goal is to limit inconveniences to pedestrians and drivers, and the occasional abnormal temperatures in some buildings.
Here are the updates:
Campus hardscape (State Capital Funded)
The first phase of an ongoing project to rehabilitate campus hardscape will begin in late August/September and will focus on accessible pedestrian walkways throughout campus.
Central Hower infrastructure (State Capital Funded)
To increase efficiency and reliability of utility service at Central Hower, the building is being connected to both the University’s centralized chilled water system and electrical grid. The project is well under way, and both connections will be completed by Aug. 18. Site restoration will be completed by the end of September.
Utility vault infrastructure (State Capital Funded)
The underground utility vault to the east of the Goodyear Polymer Center is undergoing needed repairs. As planned, domestic hot water and reheat for the mechanical systems is currently off-line for both the Goodyear Polymer Center and Whitby Hall. It is expected to return by Aug. 11. The ambient temperatures in those two buildings feels cooler than normal, so continue to have a sweater or light jacket available.
Mechanical work inside the vault is completed and the construction of the vault itself will be done the first week of August. At the time, service will be restored to Goodyear and Whitby, and site restoration is expected to be completed by the end of August.
Building heat exchanger installation (State Capital Funded)
The project to install a new heat exchanger for Knight Chemical Laboratory and Mary Gladwin Hall is underway and is expected to be completed by the end of September.
As planned, the domestic hot water and reheat for the mechanical systems is off-line during most of the construction period for both buildings. The ambient temperatures in both also feels cooler than normal, so have a sweater or light jacket available.
Campus electrical loop infrastructure (State Capital Funded)
To help achieve a more stable and dependable electrical network for campus, redundancy is being created and electrical feeders and transformers are being upgraded. As planned, the above-ground work is expected to be completed in August, with additional project work to wrap up near the end of November.
The Sumner Street cul-de-sac is closed north of the Student Union loading dock until mid-August.
Building Roof replacements (State Capital Funded)
The Ayer Hall roof was completed earlier in July, while the Cummings Center for the History of Psychology, the Lincoln Building and the James A. Rhodes Annex roof replacements are under way. The number of rain days has impacted the project timeline by roughly 30 days, so the remaining roofs are expected to be completed the end of September.
Grant Residence Hall razing and green space (State Capital Funded)
The vacant Grant Hi-Rise and the adjacent townhomes are scheduled for razing in October. The site will be restored as a green space. Traffic will likely be rerouted during portions of the razing — watch for announcements in the Digest and Zipmail, the student newsletter.
UA Police Department (UAPD) relocation (State Capital Funded)
The Operations Division of the UAPD is settling into its new home at 32 South College St. Its former location, known as the Trecaso Building, will be razed in August. The vacated site will be restored as a green space. Traffic will likely be rerouted during portions of the razing — watch for announcements in the Digest and Zipmail, the student newsletter.
E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall (State Capital Funded)
The refacing of the expansive lobby wall area is under way and will be completed as phenolic panels are installed. The panels will respect the architectural significance of the building, but are designed to withstand its unique environmental conditions.
The scaffolding is installed and installation of the panels is expected to begin in early August and be completed by early September.
McDowell Law Center renovations (various funding sources, including donations, state capital and local funding)
The final phase of the McDowell Law Center renovation will be completed in early August. Full occupancy is expected by the end of August. Site restoration is expected to be completed by the end of August.
Buchtel Hall HVAC replacement (State Capital Funded)
The Buchtel Hall air conditioning system will undergo repairs that are being timed as closely as possible to the fall changeover from cooling to heating. This project will only impact Buchtel Hall.
Aramark d.b.a. Dining Services renovations (Aramark and local funding)
Aramark will be renovating spaces in both Quaker Square and Spicer Hall for point of delivery convenience stores. The existing Quaker Square point of delivery will be relocated so it is much closer and more convenient to the residence hall area of the building. while Spicer Hall will receive a newly created point of delivery convenience store.
Spicer Hall is expected to be completed by early September 2017 or shortly thereafter. Quaker Square is expected to be completed at the end of the year.