New East Campus residence halls are being constructed.

Campus report

University construction projects in full swing this summer

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9:27 a.m., July 6, 2012--Summer construction is in full swing at the University of Delaware and includes several major projects as well as planned maintenance work and building renovations.

Major building initiatives include the Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Laboratory (ISE Lab), two new East Campus residence halls, the Life Sciences Research Facility, the Carpenter Sports Building addition and renovation project and work at the Science, Technology and Advanced Research (STAR) Campus.

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ISE Lab

The 194,000-square-foot research and teaching complex located at the corner of Lovett Avenue and Academy Street is scheduled for completion in late summer of 2013. 

There will be an occasional closing of Lovett Avenue between Academy Street and Haines Avenue, and intermittent lane restrictions on Academy Street below Lovett Avenue to permit bus lane and curb location work. 

The Academy Street sidewalk adjacent to the ISE Lab construction site remains closed. Pedestrians should use the sidewalk on the west side of Academy Street.

The city has put in a new crosswalk to encourage pedestrians to cross Academy Street just south of the construction site. Walking in the street is both dangerous and illegal, and it could result in a fine.

Pedestrians are advised that Newark and University police officers will be enforcing the law in this area and will be issuing citations for jaywalking. 

East Campus residence halls

Two East Campus residence halls are under construction and are scheduled for completion in August 2013. With a combined 252,000 square feet of space, the buildings will house 767 first-year students and several offices. 

Due to construction, Haines Street will be closed south of Lovett Avenue through Aug. 20. Residents will still have access to their driveways. Local traffic to south Haines Street will only be accessible via Benny Street. A temporary driveway will also be constructed along the south end of Benny Street for this period.

Life Sciences Research Facility

Located between McKinly Laboratory and East Hall along East Delaware Avenue, the 15,000-square-foot structure is scheduled for completion in winter 2012. 

Carpenter Sports Building

UD's Carpenter Sports Building also is undergoing renovations, including a 50,000-square-foot addition. Plans for the three-story expansion, which will be situated at the current main entrance, include new workout areas, group exercise rooms, offices, a student lounge and an indoor track. Completion date is August 2013.

During construction, pedestrian and vehicular access to the building and parking will be altered.

From the week of July 9, the main entrance to Carpenter Sports Building will be closed until fall 2013. Access to the building will be from the southwest corner of Gym 1, via a temporary pedestrian path, which begins just south of Jastak-Burgess Hall. New lighting is being installed in the area.

Pedestrian access to Frazer Field will be rerouted to a temporary path from North College Avenue to the recreational fields area. The pathway will be appropriately lit and outfitted with security cameras and blue light phones. 

The drive south of Mechanical Hall will become a two-way roadway as the parking lot (Lot 20) and the drive west of Carpenter Sports Building will be fenced off. Handicapped parking will be available next to Jastak-Burgess Hall.

Traffic near the building should be limited to handicap and service vehicles only. Drop-offs and pick-ups should be redirected to Main Street in front of Elliott and Alumni halls, where metered spaces are also available. Alternately, the section of Lot 20 closest to North College Avenue will remain open.

Available parking in Lot 20 will be reduced. Lot 19, across North College Avenue, is the best suggested alternative, as it is also a Gold lot.

Alison Hall

Renovations to the building, which dates to the 1950s, include a new HVAC system, the addition of sprinklers and an updated fire system, as well as new ceilings, bathrooms, lights and cosmetic upgrades. Completion is slated for the summer of 2013. 

STAR Campus

The Health Sciences Complex focuses on redevelopment of the existing administrative building along South College Avenue and high bay space, positioned on approximately 15 acres of land that will be remodeled and expanded from 170,000 square feet to 230,000 square feet. Construction will be completed by late 2013. 

Infrastructure upgrades

Underground steam and condensate line replacement between the Trabant University Center and McDowell Hall and the Willard Hall Education Building is under way and will run through October.

Related above ground work within the Trabant University Center will take place from Sunday, July 22, through Wednesday, Aug. 16. 

Access for pedestrians in the area between the Willard Hall Education Building and Raub Hall and McDowell Hall will be closed. Pedestrians can use the sidewalks on the north side of Main Street and along North College Avenue, as well as north of McDowell Hall. 

The sidewalk adjacent to the Trabant University Center in the affected area also will be closed during construction. Traffic flow on East Main Street will not be affected. Steam and condensate service to buildings in the area will not be affected.

Also continuing is the underground steam and condensate line replacement between the Perkins Student Center and the Russell residence hall complex. Work is scheduled to run through the week of Aug. 20. Direct pedestrian access between the Perkins Student Center and the Russell Complex will be closed.

Other projects

Other major projects this summer include:

  • Fire alarm system replacement;
  • Lighting retrofitting: Colburn Laboratory, P.S. du Pont Laboratory, Lammot duPont Laboratory, Sharp Laboratory, Trabant University Center, Carpenter Sports Building, Clayton Hall and the Bob Carpenter Center;
  • Brown Hall, roof repair for correction of water infiltration issues;
  • Hullihen Hall, installation of new emergency generator;
  • Ray Street residence halls A and B roof replacement, and HVAC modernization; and
  • Christiana West Tower, closed this summer for elevator rehabilitation. 

Article by Jerry Rhodes

Photos by Ambre Alexander

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