Campus Construction Update for June 29

These are among the construction activities scheduled June 29-July 12 at the University of Wyoming:

Lewis Street Closure (General contractor Mechanical Systems Inc., Cheyenne; scheduled completion June 2015) -- Lewis Street will be closed from 10th Street to 15th Street through Oct. 31. Pedestrian access will be via the sidewalk on the north side of Lewis Street. Excavation work for water line replacement will be ongoing west of 19th Street, and the sidewalk will remain closed. Be aware of barricades, traffic signs and heavy equipment in the area. Additionally, please note the intersection of 15th and Lewis streets will be closed July 14-Aug. 20. Traffic will be detoured around the intersection via Willett Drive and Harney Street. UW transit routes will be redirected during the course of construction. A map of the Lewis Street closure and associated Transit Route can be seen here.

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

Arena-Auditorium Renovations (General contractor Haselden Constructors, Casper; Willett Drive; scheduled completion fall 2014) -- Phase 1 of the Arena-Auditorium renovations is approximately 60 percent complete. The ADA seating platforms are being constructed within the arena at the concourse level. The new railings have begun installation in the lower rows and will be working up toward the concourse level. Conduit is being installed along the catwalk that will provide power to the new lighting and speakers. Demolition and reconstruction of the room housing the sump pump are underway adjacent to the truck tunnel. In the sub-concourse level, the mechanical, electrical and plumbing rough-in work is nearing completion. Drywall in the women’s basketball locker room and the visiting team locker is 90 percent complete. Drywall has also started installation in the majority of the lower level as the completion of the mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems allows.

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 brown fiber cement panel installation is approximately 50 percent complete, current installation has rounded the south corner of the building and is concentrated on the west elevation. Stone masonry work on the monument sign that will read located at the corner of 22nd and Grand Avenue is complete and precast concrete will begin installation next week. Site work on the south side of the building is ongoing and currently consists of the installation of underground electrical and placement of landscaping boulders. The asphalt drive lanes have been installed on the north drive loop/ drop-off area. Interior finishes are nearing completion on the north portion of the first floor and final review and approvals of this area will begin in the next week. On the south portion of the first floor, painting is complete and flooring is being installed. Tile work is ongoing on the second and third floors. Air handling units are scheduled to be turned on and commissioned beginning July 1. Additional project information is available here. Click here for updated images taken by the construction cam.

Hollows Sidewalk ADA Improvements (General contractor Sweckard Excavation LLC, Laramie; between Ivinson Street and Merica Hall/Old Main) -- The contractor is completing Phase II of the sidewalk replacement at the south portion of the site. Trenching for new LED site lighting is currently taking place. Existing light fixture heads will be replaced with new high-efficiency LED units at the sidewalk along Ivinson Street during the week of June 30-July 3. Remaining site lighting will be installed at the new ADA compliant sidewalks during the week of July 7-11. Finish grading and sod installation will also take place at this time. The circle drive in front of Merica Hall will be closed for a day during the week of June 30 to allow concrete pumper truck access for phase II sidewalk work. The straight section of sidewalk from Ivinson Street to Merica Hall, and the diagonal section of sidewalk from Ivinson Street to Old Main, will 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 25.

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 nearing completion and will proceed in areas along the east as foundation work is completed. Major underground utilities, electrical, water, sewer and storm water are underway along the north of the building. Placement of underground interior 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 south. Concrete slabs will continue to be poured on the second and third floors as steel deck and reinforcing is ready. Concrete slabs will follow the steel erection around the building. Preparation for concrete placement on first floor slabs will start with concrete placement starting second week of July. Structural steel will continue to be received on site through mid-July at the rate of several trucks 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 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. Watch for some excavation and partial street closure at Lewis and 11th Street for utility work.

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 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 are complete. Grade beam exaction and forming is complete. Backfill is complete. 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 and masonry is complete, with steel erection beginning in the next two weeks. 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. 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.

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 evaporative cooling system will continue for the next two weeks. Fifth-floor ceiling grid is complete with acoustic ceiling tile and light fixture installation to begin this week.

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

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. 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.

As anticipated by the recent temporary expansion of the construction and staging area along the pedestrian pathways north of Half Acre Gymnasium between Prexy’s Pasture and Willett Drive, including the closure of portions of the Lab School playground through approximately Aug. 1, a sub-phase of the reconstruction/addition has begun to build-out the northwest structural steel frame and concrete slab-on-grade and slab-on-deck adjacent to the retained existing stone walls. Pedestrian access in this vicinity will remain open; however, the construction effort on this sub-phase will result in increased congestion.

Site improvement work will commence early to mid-July on Willett Drive west of 15th Street and along the north perimeter of the Wyoming Union parking lot. Vehicular access in these areas will remain open; however, temporary detours will likely be required. Temporary traffic controls and signage will be established as needed by specific site activities. Please observe all posted traffic control, construction signs and temporary flagging.

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 341 projects in progress valued at more than $19 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 30 -- parking beneath the west stands of War Memorial Stadium; July 1-2 -- painting of campus crosswalks continues. Please observe “No Parking” signs in these areas.

Rochelle Athletics Center (General contractor Arcon, Inc., Laramie, scheduled completion July 2014) -- Work has begun in Room 206 to modify the area into a film room. Work to remove fixtures and cap utilities is underway. The work will primarily take place inside Room 206 but be aware of ladders, tools and equipment in the corridor.

Fieldhouse North (General contractor Elk Ridge Builders., Laramie, scheduled completion October 2014) -- Renovations have begun in the Wrestling Room break room (047) and support spaces. Demolition operations may cause noise in adjoining areas. Construction will mostly be contained within the west end of the Fieldhouse basement. Staging will be located on the exterior of the building’s east side. Please proceed with caution in and around this area, especially on the staircase directly adjacent to the work area.

Agriculture Building -- Work will continue on renovations to Room 6014 in preparation of installation for new OVN equipment. Carpet installation is scheduled for July 3. The work will primarily be contained within the space but please be aware of ladders and other equipment in the corridor.

University Store (General contractor Arcon Inc., Laramie; scheduled completion August 2014) -- Lighting upgrades to LED troffers are underway. Work is complete in the basement and the main floor change out is currently in progress. Installation of these lights will provide a substantial upgrade to the efficiency of lighting in the bookstore. Please use caution near crews and materials. 

Landmark Apartments -- Painting of exterior doors is ongoing. Please use caution near painting crews and equipment.

McWhinnie Hall/Education (General contractor Elk Ridge Builders, Laramie; scheduled completion September 2014) -- Work has started 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. Pedestrian access to UniWyo FCU will be maintained during all stages of construction. Please follow posted signage and be aware of construction activities in the area. A map of the UniWyo FCU pedestrian detour can be seen here.

Willett Drive -- Excavation is ongoing to 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.

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. Excavation will continue further to the north of the existing site. The main east entrance is accessible but the northeast entrance will have limited access starting June 30 through July11. Please proceed with caution near the excavation site.

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 is substantially complete for the replacement of 132 existing VAV (variable air volume) boxes to supplement the controls and air management upgrades that were completed last fall. Air balance and programming will continue through July 11. This work will take place primarily in the corridors, smaller classrooms, offices and common areas. 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 are complete to bring the existing ramp into ADA compliance. Aesthetic improvements will continue through the summer in the planetarium and the adjacent elevator lobby. Infrastructure for a new digitally integrated projection system, new graphics/complete facade and all new seating will commence the first week in August. Please be aware of crews and equipment in the area.

Engineering Building (General contractor Independent Heating and Sheet Metal, Laramie; scheduled completion September 2014) -- 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.

Energy Innovation Center (General contractor The Plumbing Company, Laramie; scheduled completion September 2014) -- 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 September 2014) -- Construction is complete. Landscaping will be ongoing, as will punch list items. 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.

Sigma Phi Epsilon -- Excavation for the replacement of steam and condensate lines began June 19. Parking spaces on both sides of Sorority Row, 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.

Switch Gear Cleaning -- Annual switch gear cleaning on campus is complete.

Fieldhouse -- Carpet replacement on the second-floor east hallway is complete.