Campus Construction Update for June 15

These are among the construction activities scheduled June 15-21 at the University of Wyoming:

The UW Facilities Planning Office reports the following activities for the week:

Hollows Sidewalk ADA Improvements (General contractor Sweckard Excavation LLC, Laramie; between Ivinson Street and Merica Hall/Old Main) -- Phase 1 of sidewalk, curb and gutter replacement, and new retaining wall on the south side of Merica Hall, are complete. Construction fencing in front of Merica Hall will be removed to allow access to the circle drive and ADA drop-off.  The contractor has begun work on phase 2 of the sidewalk replacement at the south portion of the site. The straight section of sidewalk from Ivinson Street to Merica Hall, and the diagonal section of sidewalk from Ivinson Street to Old Main, remain closed for construction activities. Pedestrians are advised to take alternate routes to both Merica Hall and Old Main from the Ivinson Street parking lot. All work on this project is scheduled to be substantially complete by July 18.

Enzi STEM Facility (General contractor AP Wyoming, Cheyenne; Lewis Street between 10th and 11th streets; scheduled completion May 2015) -- Lewis Street remains closed between 10th and 11th streets. Please note that this project is being managed and administered by the State Construction Office. Structural backfill on site and backfill at foundations is underway and will proceed in areas along the east as foundation work is completed. Placement of underground utilities along with foundation and shear walls at elevator/stairs -- including wall forms, steel reinforcing and concrete -- will continue this month. Steel erection is underway and has moved to the southwest. Structural steel will continue to be received on site through mid-July at the rate of several trucks at a minimum per week. Concrete, reinforcing steel and fill material delivery will continue based on requirements to sustain the work in progress. Watch for ongoing utility work at Lewis and 11th Street with related street closures; a firm date for completion is not available. Watch for construction traffic on Lewis, 10th, 11th and Bradley streets. For their safety, pedestrians should make eye contact with equipment operators and delivery drivers outside the fenced area so they are aware of their presence. There will be materials and equipment delivered to site and storage yards along Lewis Street, with resulting heavy truck traffic. Job trailers, storage containers, materials and equipment are in storage yards east along Lewis Street. There will be equipment moving materials from storage to site. There will be utility locates with some excavation and partial street closure at Lewis and 11th Street.

Half Acre Gymnasium Addition and Renovation (General contractor Groathouse Construction Inc., Cody; scheduled completion of Phase 1, east reconstruction/addition, fall 2014; Phase 2, historic west renovation, spring 2015) -- Full project information is available here. Construction progress can be observed via the project webcam here. Half Acre Gymnasium remains open and accessible via the west entrance. The day lot parking area and roadway immediately east of Half Acre Gymnasium is closed. Temporary day-use parking has been established in the lot east of the Wyoming Union.

Construction and staging areas north, south and east of the existing building have been established and are closed to all vehicular and pedestrian traffic, except that which is construction related. Access to Prexy’s Pasture from the east Wyoming Union parking lot between Half Acre and the Wyoming Union is closed until further notice. Please use alternate routes through the Wyoming Union or between the union and Coe Library. Heavy truck traffic, including construction materials transport, concrete trucks and other haulers, will be frequent on Willett Drive west of 15th Street and along the perimeter of the Wyoming Union parking lot. Temporary traffic controls and signs are either in place or will be established as needed by specific site activities. Please observe all posted traffic control, construction signs and temporary flagging. As required by ongoing construction activities and site improvements, temporary additional expansions to the construction and staging areas will be required along Willett Drive and along the pedestrian pathways north of Half Acre Gymnasium between Prexy’s Pasture and Willett Drive. Vehicular and pedestrian access in these areas will remain; however, expect congestion and detours as required by the work. The playground area north of Half Acre Gymnasium will be partially closed June 15 through Aug. 1.

Construction work for Phase 1, consisting of the reconstruction/addition of the east portion of the existing building, continues this week. The general structural and supporting components of the addition are in place, including foundation, earthwork, under-slab building systems, building utilities, interior structural shear wall, structural steel frame, and interior slab-on-grade and slab-on-deck construction. Interior construction is continuing, with building systems rough-in, masonry, wall and ceiling systems framing, and fireproofing underway. Exterior building enclosure work has begun, including exterior framing, envelope thermal and moisture protection systems, stone and brick masonry, openings and roofing. Specialty building equipment, including climbing wall/pinnacle components and penthouse HVAC units, have been delivered and are in process of being installed.

Arena-Auditorium Renovations (General contractor Haselden Constructors, Casper; Willett Drive; scheduled completion fall 2014) -- Phase 1 of the Arena-Auditorium renovations is approximately 50 percent complete. The concrete floor of the arena bowl was poured June 6. This slab will support the new competition floor. The “dust tent” that has protected the upper bowl from dust and debris will be removed in the next week. ADA seating platforms are being constructed within the arena at the concourse level. Intermediate concrete stairs are being installed on the tiered seating platforms where new access aisles will be formed. In the sub-concourse level, wall and ceiling framing is being installed, following closely behind the installation of rough mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems.

Buchanan Center for the Performing Arts (General contractor Sampson Construction, Cheyenne; Fine Arts Building renovation and expansion; scheduled completion December 2014) -- Additional project information is available here. The parking lot on the east side of the Buchanan Center for the Performing Arts is closed and is being used for construction staging. It will be converted into a green area following construction. Building visitors should use the parking lot on the north side of the building. Those entering the Performing Arts Center must now enter through the doors on the building’s west side. This will be the entrance for all building operations, including classes, ticket purchases and performances, until construction is complete.

The building heating system is shut off for heating system upgrades through mid-September. Part of the west sidewalk along the north end is closed to pedestrians for the next two months during the installation of an electrical equipment screened wall. Footing excavation, rebar placement and pouring, along with foundation walls, are 95 percent complete. Grade beam exaction and forming is complete. Backfill on the north and east is complete and continuing on the south side. Steel erection is ongoing on the east side of the addition. Exterior framing, sheathing and vapor barrier installation are continuing on the north. Interior framing, rough-in plumbing, duct work and electrical are ongoing. Concrete slabs on grade and on metal decking are 95 percent complete. The northwest addition foundation wall forming is complete, with steel erection beginning this week. Work in the existing building has begun. Heavy truck traffic will be frequent near War Memorial Fieldhouse, 22nd Street and Willett Drive, and along the road west of the College of Law Building.

ESCo Project (Long Energy Solutions, Casper) -- Wyoming State Vet Lab air distribution and control work are complete. Programming controllers and air balancing are continuing. Engineering air distribution and control work has begun. Non-lab area work has started on the sixth floor and is working down throughout the summer. The lab area work will be a mix of floors throughout the summer. The heating system in the Engineering Building is down through August. College of Agriculture Building new VAV installations for non-lab areas continue on the sixth floor and will move down through mid-August.

Marian H. Rochelle Gateway Center (General contractor Haselden Constructors, Casper; 22nd and Grand; scheduled completion fall 2014) -- The Gateway Center is approximately 80 percent complete. The exterior cladding, a beige fiber cement panel, is being installed on the east and south faces of the building. The monument sign that will read “University of Wyoming Marian H. Rochelle Gateway Center” and feature the Steamboat logo is currently being constructed at the corner of Grand Avenue and 22nd Street. This sign will be finished in a sandstone masonry veneer and capped with a cast stone. Underground electrical conduit for the site lighting is taking place around the building. At the interior of the building, focus is mainly on the installation of finishes and installation of the electrical and plumbing fixtures. Additional project information is available here. Click here for updated images taken by the construction cam.

Biological Sciences Building Mechanical Modifications (General Contractor Independent Heating and Sheet Metal, Laramie) -- Start-up for the evaporative cooling in the lab areas is complete. Commissioning work on the cooling system will continue for the next two weeks. Fifth-floor ceiling installations will begin next week.

McIntyre Hall (General contractor Sampson Construction, Cheyenne) -- Window replacement has begun on the 12th floor. Barricades are placed around the ground-level perimeter. Use caution around the area. Apartment remodeling and valve replacement have begun. The contractor staging is on the south side of Orr Hall.

Golf Practice Facility (General contractor Spiegelberg Lumber and Building Co., Laramie) -- This project is substantially complete and occupancy has been taken, with all access and site restrictions removed. Minor remaining items of work are yet to be completed by construction crews. Please observe any temporary provisions in place to accommodate the work.

Education Annex -- Literacy Research Center and Clinic (General contractor Shepard Construction Inc., Rawlins) -- This project is substantially complete and occupancy has been taken, with all access and site restrictions removed. Some minor work is yet to be completed by construction crews. Please observe any temporary provisions in place to accommodate the work.

Education Annex Canopy (General contractor Elk Ridge Builders & Design LLC, Laramie) -- This project is substantially complete and occupancy has been taken, with all access and site restrictions removed. Minor remaining items of work are yet to be completed by construction crews. Please observe any temporary provisions in place to accommodate the work.

The UW Physical Plant has 350 projects in progress valued at more than $21.6 million. Following is a list of ongoing construction activities in areas of campus that may impact you:

Campus Striping Operations -- Summer striping operations will be ongoing: June 16, Hoyt Hall loop and 13th Street between Coe Library and Knight Hall; June 17, east of the Arena-Auditorium and parking beneath the west stands of War Memorial Stadium; and June 18-19, crosswalks throughout campus. Please observe “No Parking” signs in these areas.

Fieldhouse (General contractor Big Horn Roofing, Laramie; scheduled completion June 2014) -- Roof replacement of the north side entrance is complete, with the exception of punch list items.

McWhinnie Hall/Education (General contractor Elk Ridge Builders, Laramie; scheduled completion September 2014) -- Work will begin on enhancements to ADA parking and landscaping improvements north of McWhinnie Hall. The ADA spaces north of McWhinnie will not be available, and the sidewalk between McWhinnie Hall and the Education Building will be closed to pedestrian traffic for the duration of the project. Intermittent closures to the parking lot east of the Education Annex will occur throughout the summer. Be aware of construction activities in the area.

Lewis Street Steam Line Project (General contractor Mechanical Systems Inc., Cheyenne; scheduled completion June 2015) -- Excavation work for water line replacement west of 19th Street will be ongoing. The west sidewalk will be closed. Please be aware of barricades and heavy equipment in the area.

Willett Drive -- Excavation is ongoing this week to locate and repair a leaking steam condensate return line approximately 150 feet east of 15th Street in the south parkway. Please use caution around heavy equipment and construction fencing.

Cooper House (General contractor Big Horn Roofing, Laramie; scheduled completion June 2014) -- Roof replacement is complete.

Spanish Walk, River Village, and Landmark Apartments -- Maintenance work will be ongoing throughout the summer in various building of the apartment complexes. Please use caution near crews and equipment.

Classroom Building -- Work is ongoing east of the Classroom Building, for water remediation excavation. The main east and northeast Classroom Building entrances will be closed until June 27. The north-south exterior pedestrian corridor on the east side of the building will have limited access as well. Traffic control barricades will be in place. Access to the building will be on the south and west side. Please proceed with caution near the excavation site.

Education Building – Renovation work in the bathrooms is complete.

Grand Avenue Reconstruction (Wyoming Department of Transportation) -- Grand Avenue is still closed from 15th-21st streets. Vehicle traffic is open on 19th Street, heading south only. The 17th Street parking lot is closed to resident vehicle parking, as this is the delivery truck route while the 17th Street access from Grand Avenue is closed. Be aware of “No Parking” and “Detour” signs, and barricades in the area. Access to traffic alternates between 17th and 19th depending on construction activities. Signs in the residence hall area direct the traffic to the appropriate access. Please use caution near heavy equipment and excavations in the area. Parking is prohibited in the residents’ parking lot west of Hill Hall and south of Orr Hall. UW Transit and Parking Services has rerouted both the Classroom Express and the Gem City Grand from the stops on King Street and Grand Avenue to north of the Information Technology Building along Sorority Row. For more information about residence hall access, pedestrian access and other activities affected by the project, click here.

Agriculture Building (General contractor GW Mechanical, Mills; scheduled completion August 2014) -- Work has begun to replace 132 existing VAV (variable air volume) boxes to supplement the controls and air management upgrades that were completed last fall. This work will take place primarily in the corridors, smaller classrooms, offices and common areas. Please be aware of ladders, tools and equipment in the building.

Spanish Walk Apartments -- Landscaping operations will be ongoing around buildings “A” and “D.” Be aware of heavy equipment in the area.

UW Planetarium (General contractor Arcon Inc., Laramie; scheduled completion September 2014) -- Renovations have begun to bring the existing ramp into ADA compliance. Infrastructure for a new digitally integrated projection system, new graphics/complete facade and all new seating will be installed during the summer. Be aware of crews and equipment in the area.

Engineering Building -- Air management and digital control upgrades to improve building efficiency are ongoing. The hot water circulation system for building heat will be disabled and drained until the end of summer following installation of new devices. Be aware of ladders and equipment in the corridors.

SAREC Research Farm, Lingle (General contractor Hi Plains Construction, Torrington; scheduled completion June 2014) -- Construction to replace a machine storage building is complete.

Energy Innovation Center -- Work is ongoing to replace HVAC equipment in Room 377. Be aware of crews in the area.

General Storage Addition (General contractor Arcon Inc., Laramie; scheduled completion May 2014) -- Building work is complete. Landscaping will be ongoing, weather permitting. The south side of the existing building is accessible from the west driveway. Shipping and Receiving operations will continue throughout construction. Please limit traffic on Gibbon Street between 15th and 19th streets to building users only. Always use caution around the construction site and construction vehicles, and observe all posted speed limits.

Centennial Complex (American Heritage Center and Art Museum, general contractors D&D Monarch Sheet Metal, Commerce City, Colo., and Big Horn Roofing, Laramie; scheduled completion May 2014) -- Roof replacements and reclamation work are complete. Minor punch-list items will be ongoing. This project included several improvements to the building’s energy efficiency: a continuous air/vapor barrier, increased roof insulation, and the new skylights with insulating glass on the cone portion of the building.

Service Building (General contractor Custom Fabrication, Laramie; scheduled completion June 2014) -- Work to install a guardrail in the mezzanine in Stores will begin. Please use caution near crews and equipment.

Sigma Phi Epsilon -- Excavation for the replacement of steam and condensate lines will begin June 19. Ten parking spaces adjacent to the north side of the building will be partitioned off for staging and construction activity. Please be cautious of equipment and vehicles in the area.

Campus -- Activation of the sprinkler irrigation system is complete for the season.