The summer construction season on campus has largely ended and several projects have been completed, or are nearing completion. From roof replacements and infrastructure updates to building renovations and a new bridge, 2019 has seen many improvements. Other projects are in the planning phases for summer 2020. Here is a brief summary of the University’s significant capital projects as of November 2019:
Institute for Human Science and Culture (Donations and State Capital Funds)
Construction of the Institute for Human Science and Culture is completed. Located on the third and fourth floors of the former Roadway Building, at the intersection of College and Mill streets, the space includes three large galleries, classroom support space, offices, a workshop, and conditioned archive and lab spaces. The ribbon cutting was held in September.
CBA – Professional Development Center (Donations and Locally Funded)
Construction of the College of Business Administration’s 12,000 square-foot addition and 2,300 square-foot renovation project is completed. The addition and renovation added labs, study and lounge spaces, a corporate classroom, a boardroom, and office spaces. A ribbon cutting was held in September for the Anthony J. Alexander Professional Development Center.
ICS Testbed/Polsky Building Suite 466 (Donations Funded)
Construction is completed on the new Industrial Control Systems Testbed/Cyber Security suite in the Polsky Building. A ribbon cutting is scheduled Dec. 9.
Gallucci Hall Abatement and Razing (State Capital and Locally Funded)
Gallucci Hall has been abated and razed. Site restoration is in progress and will be completed during spring 2020.
West Campus/Polsky Parking Deck (Locally Funded)
The Polsky Parking Deck underwent major renovations/repairs this summer and fall. Repairs to the top level included support beam replacement, concrete repairs, expansion joint replacement and a new waterproofing system was applied. Construction is nearly complete, with work wrapping up by the end of November.
Sumner Street Bridge Replacement (State Capital Funded)
The Sumner Street bridge, which connects the front door of the Auburn Science and Engineering Center (ASEC) and the Jean Hower Taber Student Union, is nearly complete. The upper pedestrian level is currently open to traffic, with Sumner Street expected to open to both pedestrian and vehicle traffic by the end of November.
Elevator Modernization (State Capital Funded)
The modernization of the elevator in Kolbe Hall was completed before the start of fall classes. One of the two elevators in Bierce Library is completed. The second elevator in Bierce Library and Elevator number 5 in the Auburn Science and Engineering Center are scheduled for completion by Dec. 17, 2019.
Roof Replacements/Renovations and Air Handler (State Capital Funded)
Replacement and repairs have been made to the roofs of Mary Gladwin Hall (repairs), Computer Center (repairs), Guzzetta Hall (replacement), and the Forge Street (replacement) and Carroll Street (replacement) Substations. All the work will be completed by the end of November. The contractors are putting the finishing touches on flashing and punch list items.
Hower House – Carriage House Repairs (Donations Funded)
Structural repairs and roof replacement at the Carriage House at the Hower House Museum at 60 Fir Hill on the north side of campus are completed.
E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall LED Lighting (Locally Funded and Donations)
The replacement of E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall’s existing lighting with LED lighting is completed. The existing high wattage 1970s lobby lighting was replaced with longer life, high efficiency, LED fixtures.
IT Infrastructure – Cabling/ Wiring Replacement (State Capital Funded)
Construction began on the yearlong, campus-wide initiative to update existing information technology infrastructure in all our older buildings. Work and testing take place between 10:30 p.m. and 7 a.m. to minimize disruption. The project is expected to be completed during July 2020.
Buckingham Building Renovations (State Capital Funded)
Bids were recently received for renovations to the Buckingham Center for Continuing Education. Renovations will include a new air handling system and a new home for Academic Achievement Programs. Construction will begin during January 2020 and is expected to be completed during July 2020.
Baseball Field Renovations and Field House Turf (Donations and UA Foundation Funded)
Construction of the new artificial turf surface for Skeeles Field — the baseball field at Lee Jackson Field — is nearly complete. While the new field is already in place, the contractors are finishing site infrastructure, which will be complete by the end of November. The Akron Zips Baseball team has already had practice on Skeeles Field. Future phases will be completed as donations are received. The Stile Athletics Field House turf will be replaced during December 2019.
Campus Infrastructure Improvements – Vaults and Electrical (State Capital Funded)
The University continues to update and modernize its physical infrastructure. The elimination of the utility vault on the south side of the Computer Center is completed and site restoration will be completed by the end of November. Construction is expected to begin during March 2020 on the replacement of the vault at the Martin Garden and will be completed during August 2020.
Construction has begun on the next phase of the electric distribution system upgrade. This project will increase the stability of the University’s electric grid and provide redundancy to several buildings in the center of campus. Excavation south of Ayer Hall, west of Zook Hall and south of Kolbe Hall is expected to be complete during January 2020, with project completion during August 2020.
Crouse Hall/Ayer Hall Consolidation (State Capital and Locally Funded)
Design is under way for the renovation and consolidation of Ayer Hall and Crouse Hall. The improved facility will house labs, faculty and administrative offices, and modern general-purpose lecture halls. Construction is expected to begin during August 2020 and be completed during July 2022.
Contact Nathan Mortimer, vice president for finance and administration/CFO at 330-972-6501 or Stephen Myers, interim chief planning and facilities officer, at330-972-6631 with inquiries.