The University’s campus is adding buildings to make sure that it is prepared for enrollment increases and to renovate buildings in need of upgrades.
Classroom construction is occurring at Anstett Hall, Fenton Hall, East Campus Residence Hall and the Robert and Beverly Lewis Integrative Science Building.
It is hard for students not to notice the various construction sites on campus and not be affected by the work.
“The noise can be disruptive during class, but I think in the end the school will look more appealing,” University sophomore Miranda Burrows said.
The sounds of construction is just one part of the construction that affects students. Many of the classes have been moved to different buildings to ensure the construction workers can complete their job while students are given a safe learning environment.
Anstett Hall is expected to be the first of these projects to be completed. Once it is completed in the spring, and classes start for summer term, construction will start at nearby Allen Hall on June 15.
 
Anstett Hall
The final part of the Lillis Business Complex construction is being completed at Anstett Hall, where renovations have started.
The University is expecting to have the renovations completed by spring and classes will commence for summer 2011.
The remodel construction will start at the end of May, but the building is currently undergoing asbestos abatement.
The project will include a demolition of the interior of the building, which will be replaced by a safer, seismically sound building with new classrooms and office spaces.
 
Fenton Hall
For the most part, the construction work being done at Fenton Hall is deferred maintenance but does include some renovations.
The work includes seismic upgrades, retrofitting the heating and ventilation systems, installing an elevator and improving classrooms. The demolition needed to make sure all this maintenance can be done provides the opportunity for planners to improve the layout of the space.
The maintenance and renovations are expected to be completed in summer 2011.
 
Robert and Beverly Lewis Integrative Science Building
Construction on the complex ran into some surprises early on in the process, but the project is on schedule and under budget.
“We were surprised to find out that the rock under the tunnel was fractured, probably due to blasting when the tunnel was built, which required some unexpected foundation work,” said Fred Tepfer, project planning manager for Campus Planning and Real Estate. The building is built over an existing utility tunnel.
Classes in the building are expected to begin summer 2012 and will provide labs and offices for research in psychology, neuroscience, chemistry, molecular biology and other fields.
 
East Campus Residence Hall
The University’s goal is to house 25 percent of the undergraduate students and with the new East Campus Residence Hall, it would come closer to realizing this goal.
The new residence hall will have a minimum of 450 beds and will be located behind the Museum of Natural and Cultural History on Moss Street and East 15th Avenue.
Construction on the residence hall is expected to be completed by fall 2012.
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