Ah, summer. With the undergrads out saving the rest of the world, Grounds is abandoned to us townies—well, us and several battalions of construction workers. UVA’s campus is abuzz with builders this offseason, the clatter of cranes and belches of backhoes burgeoning from Fontaine Research Park to Rugby Road. Here’s a list of major projects to look out for while frolicking in Jefferson Land.
![]() South Lawn construction, one of the many headaches for travel around the University this summer. |
Underground steam pipe repairs
Location: University Avenue, near McCormick Road
Started: June 9
Completion: July 30, at the earliest
Cost: Unspecified
What it’ll be good for: Emergency maintenance
Watch out! Major detour on Rugby Road to Culbreth Road and back to University Avenue
South Lawn, Phase I
Location: Jefferson Park Avenue
Started: June 2007
Completion: November 2010
Cost: $105 million
What it’ll be good for: Classroom and office space for Arts & Sciences, as well as a new grassy pedestrian route to get from one side of JPA to the other.
Watch out! Possible road diversions and lane reductions on JPA. Section of Brandon Avenue has long been closed
Bavaro Hall
Location: Emmet Street
Started: April 2008
Completion: April 2010
Cost: $37.5 million
What it’ll be good for: Classroom and office space for the School of Education
Ruffin Hall
Location: Off Rugby Road
Started: November 2006
Completion: July 2008
Cost: $25.9 million
What it’ll be good for: New class and studio space for art production
Campbell Hall Additions
Location: Off Rugby Road
Started: June 2006
Completion: May 2008
Cost: $15.6 million
What it’ll be good for: New classroom spaces for the School of Architecture, connectivity to Rugby Road
Observatory Hill Residence
Location: Observatory Road
Started: March 2007
Completion: August 2008
Cost: $18.8 million
What it’ll be good for: Housing undergrads
Snyder Translational Research Building and Life Sciences Annex
Location: Fontaine Research Park
Started: April 2006
Completion: December 2008
Cost: $80.5 millions
What it’ll be good for: Medical research across multiple departments
Hospital area
Carter-Harrison Research Building
Location: Crispell Drive, off Jefferson Park Avenue
Started: March 2006
Completion: March 2009
Cost: $84.1 million
What it’ll be good for: Medical research, office space and researcher housing
Watch out! Road closures on Chris Bell Drive
Emily Couric Cancer Center
Location: Lee Street, off Jefferson Park Avenue
Started: April 2008
Completion: April 2011
Cost: $74 million
What it’ll be good for: Cancer research and treatment
Watch out! Some lanes may be closed
Claude Moore Medical Education Building
Location: 15th Street, off Jefferson Park Avenue
Started: November 2007
Completion: May 2010
Cost: $40.7 million
What it’ll be good for: New classroom space for medical students, including a snazzy Medical Simulation Training Center
Watch out! Some rerouted traffic
Claude Moore Nursing Education Building
Location: 15th Street, off Jefferson Park Avenue
Started: October 2006
Completion: July 2008
Cost: $15.6 million
What it’ll be good for: New nursing classroom and office space, a student life center and computer kiosks throughout the building
South Chiller Plant Addition
Location: Crispell Drive
Started: February 2007
Completion: November 2008
Cost: $22.5 million
What it’ll be good for: 4,000 tons of additional cooling to accommodate all these new buildings at the Health System
Main Heating Plant Environmental Compliance
Location: Corner of JPA and Lee Street
Started: April 2005
Completion: September 2008
Cost: $71.7 million
What it’ll be good for: Heating 64 to 70 buildings around the University. The work will bring the plant up to environmental standards and improve efficiency.
With reporting by Gordon Block.
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