 Construction around Culbreth Theatre has put the season on hold for the Heritage Repertory Theatre. |
With the student population diminished and the daylight extended, summer is the season for building. New homes for research, classes, cars and students are in the works. Don’t expect a lot of construction to wrap up this year, however—2008 looks to be the Year of the Ribbon Cutting, with projected completion dates set then for all but one of the projects below. But it won’t all be shiny and new. One of the most expensive projects is bringing the Main Heating Plant up to environmental compliance, at a cost of $72 million.—with reporting by David Moltz.
Varsity Hall Renovation
Cost: $4.1 million
Location: Hospital Drive
Started: March 2005
Projected finish: December 2007
After getting moved to a new site, this 149-year-old building will be renovated to house the Offices for the Vice President for Research & Graduate Studies.
Rouss Hall Renovation and Addition
Cost: $58.3 million
Location: South end of the Lawn
Started: March 2005
Projected finish: February 2008
This building will become the new home of the McIntire School of Commerce, sharing its classrooms with the College of Arts and Sciences. The entrance to Hospital Drive at Jefferson Park Avenue has been closed indefinitely.
Main Heating Plant Environmental Compliance
Cost: $71.7 million
Location: Jefferson Park Avenue
Started: April 2005
Projected finish: September 2008
The University’s main heating plant will get some upgrades to provide for additional growth, replace aging equipment and meet air quality requirements. All boilers will soon have the option of using natural gas, but the plant will continue to use coal. To meet the demand for more coal, a second rail will be added to the loading site, and expect to see a fifth silo on the skyline near the University Hospital.
Carter-Harrison Research Building
Cost: $84.1 million
Location: Crispell Drive, near other medical research buildings
Started: March 2006
Projected finish: December 2008
This new building in the School of Medicine will house research programs in cancer, infectious diseases, allergy and immunology.
Campbell Hall Additions
Cost: $15.6 million
Location: Rugby Road
Started: June 2006
Projected finish: March 2008
Two sections are being added to the University’s architecture school. The east, glass-walled addition will serve as a new entrance and reception area to the building. The south addition will provide new offices, conference rooms and workspace for students.
Claude Moore Nursing Education Building
Cost: $15.6 million
Location: 15th Street SW
Started: October 2006
Projected finish: July 2008
This building will provide additional classroom space for the nursing school. A nursing history center will also be included in the building.
Ruffin Hall
Cost: $25.9 million
Location: Rugby Road
Started: November 2006
Projected finish: July 2008
This building will serve as the new home for the Studio Art Department. It will house offices, classrooms and gallery space.
Arts Grounds Parking Garage
Cost: $14.4 million
Location: Culbreth Road
Started: December 2006
Projected finish: February 2008
This 535-car garage will provide daily parking and patron parking for the Culbreth/Helms theaters. Culbreth Road has been closed, and the work has cancelled the summer season for Heritage Repertory Theatre.
Observatory Hill Residence Hall
Cost: $18.8 million
Location: Observatory Road
Started: March 2007
Projected finish: August 2008
This first-year dormitory will house 209 students and provide space for the replacement of certain Alderman Road dormitories over the next decade.
South Chiller Plant Addition
Cost: $22.5 million
Location: Crispell Drive, near other medical research buildings
Started: April 2007
Projected finish: June 2008
This plant, being built because of growth, will serve the University Hospital and medical school buildings in the southern area of the Health System.
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