Construction crews recently broke ground on the new Academic Learning Center for student athletes, the same day the city received its building permit, said Matt Swaim, the site’s project manager with Hoffman Construction Company. At least 178 parking spaces were demolished earlier this year to make way for the learning center, a three-story structure that is expected to open in January 2010.
“We made a quick start after we received the permit from the city,” Swaim said. The permit was issued Sept. 24.
Once finished, the building will sit in the former visitor’s parking lot across the street from Oregon Hall, near the new basketball arena and alumni center, both of which are still awaiting construction. University officials said the three facilities together will form a new gateway to the east side of campus.
Current plans indicate the building will stand three stories high with an elaborate glass facade at the front of the building and a reflective pool partially surrounding the structure, said Eugene city code analyst Mark Whitmill.
“Outside it will look like it is 100 percent glazed,” Whitmill said. “It’s an unusual type of construction in that respect.”
Swaim said his crews are currently working on excavation for the site and are moving steadily forward.
“There will be a steady progression from here,” Swaim said. “We’re pouring concrete this week, then we’ll continue from there.”
The building will comprise 37 individual tutoring rooms, a 112-seat lecture hall and will include 24 staff members – and only University student athletes will have access to the facility’s second and third floors.
Construction of the facility is taking an unusual route. The property has been leased to PHIT, Nike co-founder Phil Knight’s development company, for a fixed period. When that lease expires, a building will be on the property for the University’s use. The more common procedure for building a University structure is to have the University directly oversee the project.
Funding for the building comes from an undisclosed donor.
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