Campus Construction Update for July 19

These are among the construction activities scheduled July 19-25 at the University of Wyoming:

Campus -- The annual steam shutdown is scheduled July 17-August 17, 2015. The shutdown will affect campus buildings in the area of Ninth-22nd streets, and Grand Avenue to Harney Street. There will be no building heat or domestic hot water for most facilities during this time period. A temporary boiler will be placed for the residence halls and cafeterias. 

30th and Willett Streets -- The city of Laramie, in collaboration with the University of Wyoming, will begin to install a traffic signal at this intersection, on or about July 23. Work will require street closures in this immediate area. Access to Glenn “Red” Jacoby Golf Course will be detoured via Joanna Bruner Drive. Detour information is located here.

Wyoming Union Parking Lot (Simon Contractors, Cheyenne, August 2015) -- The Wyoming Union parking lot is closed for rehabilitation. The traffic signal at 15th Street and Sorority Row is temporarily disabled. Motorists are reminded to yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk. Alternative parking is on Fraternity and Sorority Row. Willett Drive is now one way from the McWhinnie/Wyoming Hall parking lot to 15th Street. The parking spaces immediately east of McWhinnie Hall will be designated bus parking only. Parking and detour information is located here.

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

High Bay Research Facility (General contractor Haselden Wyoming Constructors, Laramie; 19th Street; scheduled completion fall 2016) -- Rough grading and excavation of the project site have begun. A large trench is being excavated in the location of the north wall of the building. Installation of drilled piers will begin July 20. Relocation of a fiber-optic line serving the Wyoming Technology Business Center (WTBC) will take place July 22-23. The exact times for this work are being coordinated and scheduled with the WTBC building users. This work is required to enlarge a water detention pond located between the WTBC and the new High Bay Research Facility. Project signs displaying an image of the finished project are being installed along both 19th and 22nd streets adjacent to the project site.

Buchanan Center for the Performing Arts (General contractor Sampson Construction, Cheyenne; Fine Arts Building renovation and expansion; scheduled completion August 2015) -- The parking lot on the east side of the Buchanan Center for the Performing Arts is closed and is being rebuilt with subgrade, light pole bases, landscaping, sidewalks, curb and gutter work ongoing (completion August 2015). 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.

The parking lot south of the Performing Arts Center is now open on the east and will close again for asphalt repair in late July.

A temporary certificate of occupancy was issued from the city Friday, June 12, and the new addition is occupied, except for the Recital Hall, the Thrust Theater, Thrust Theater back of house, and the new box office. Fire alarm and life safety tests with the city are complete. Punch lists have been issued. Installation of roller shades in the Recital Hall is complete, with acoustic curtain installation this week. Thrust Theater work is ongoing. AV installations will be complete in 2-3 weeks. HVAC commissioning is 75 percent complete. Theatrical systems commissioning is complete. Temporary trailers on Fraternity Row have been moved out. The west-side landscaping is complete.

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.

McIntyre Hall (General contractor Sampson Construction, Cheyenne, scheduled completion August 2015) -- Window replacement was completed last summer for the floors 8-12. Window replacement for floors 1-7 and RA rooms 2-12 is 80 percent complete.

Half Acre Gymnasium Addition and Renovation (General contractor Groathouse Construction Inc., Cody; Phase 1 east reconstruction/addition was substantially completed March 13; Phase 2, historic west renovation, October 2015) -- Full project information is available here.

Phase 1 of the Half Acre Recreation and Wellness Center opened Monday, March 16. Punch-list tasks and building technology subsystem work toward Phase 2 renovation will continue post-occupancy. Pedestrian access to the new south building entrance from Prexy’s Pasture and from the east Wyoming Union parking lot has reopened. Please observe temporary barricades, cautionary signs or other posted instructions in areas where work will continue.

The west historic entrance is closed for Phase 2 renovation. Additional construction and staging areas are being established. Phase 2 deconstruction activities are complete, and renovation preparatory work is nearing completion on the first floor, including remedial structural and floor slab construction. Renovation is underway throughout Phase 2, including mechanical and electrical rough-in, running track structure and floor alterations, and interior layout and framing. Aquatics subcontract work related to the existing pool, new pool plumbing and the new whirlpool feature is slated to begin in early July. Completion of Phase 2 renovation is now scheduled for fall 2015.

Construction and staging areas north, east and west of the existing building have been established and are closed to all vehicular and pedestrian traffic, except that which is construction related. Pedestrian pathways north and south of Half Acre Gymnasium remain open; however, the continuing construction activities in this vicinity will result in increased congestion. Temporary traffic controls, barricades and signs will be established as needed by specific site activities. Please observe all posted traffic control, construction signs and temporary flagging in the affected areas.

ASUW Memorial Plaza (General contractor Arcon Inc. of Laramie; scheduled completion October 2015) -- Workers will construct a student memorial plaza and related landscaping at the east edge of Prexy’s Pasture, just west of Half Acre Gymnasium. Arcon Inc. has begun stripping existing turf areas at the project site to prepare for plaza and landscape regrading This project is scheduled to be substantially complete (with the exception of alpine planting) by October 1, 2015. The alpine planting work will take place during spring 2016. Please observe temporary barricades, cautionary signs or other posted instructions in areas where work is taking place.

Hoyt Hall Renovation (General contractor TBD, projected bid date has been extended to Thursday, August 27, to allow for significant changes to electrical/data wiring upgrades) -- Occupants of Hoyt Hall are being temporarily moved into Crane Hall for the fall 2015 and spring 2016 semesters while extensive renovations take place in Hoyt Hall. Colorado Hazard Control is currently completing abatement work in the building and work is approximately 75 percent complete. The remaining abatement should be complete by July 24. The renovation work in Hoyt Hall is expected to begin by October 1, 2015, and be substantially complete April 29, 2016. Please observe temporary barricades, cautionary signs or other posted instructions in areas where work is taking place.

Michael B. Enzi STEM Facility (General contractor AP Wyoming, Cheyenne; Lewis Street between 10th and 11th streets; scheduled completion August 2015) -- Please note that this project is being managed and administered by the State Construction Office. The intersection of 11th and Lewis is open for pedestrian and vehicle traffic. The sidewalk on the south side of Lewis is open, and there is access to the Earth Science/EIC loading dock. The dock will be closed for one week to complete concrete work, with the date to be determined. Street repair work is underway, with replacement of curb and gutter around the site.

Construction activity continues throughout the building. Installation of ceiling grid is complete in the labs on all floors and is nearing completion in the atrium. Perimeter and cut-in tile is complete ahead of the field tile and lights. Ceiling grid is beginning in corridors and public areas. Laboratory casework is complete on the first and second floors. Laboratory hoods, along with lab tops, are being installed on the third floor. Final drywall work continues in the atrium ahead of painting and installation of acoustic wall paneling. Mechanical, electrical and plumbing rough-ins are finishing, and trim-out is underway throughout. Finishing of the installation of stairs and elevators continues. There will continue to be numerous man lifts around the perimeter of the building, allowing work to progress on the cornice, curtain wall and masonry. The mason will continue to work on the final installation of stone and coping in numerous areas of the exterior as site work and glazing systems allow.

Roof membrane work is complete. Flashing and trim-out of the roof is proceeding on the penthouse and lower roofs as weather permits. Metal panel closure on the mechanical rooms is underway. Curtain wall and glass installation is proceeding on the north and south as weather permits. Materials are stocked on site, with installation proceeding as glass is fabricated. Work on the atrium interior walls and detail continues in conjunction with the completion of mechanical and electrical systems. Site work has started on all sides. This will cause intermittent disruptions to traffic on all surrounding streets. The construction office is relocated to the west on 10th Street to facilitate site work on the west.

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 equipment moving materials from storage to site, along with ongoing delivery of materials to site from vendors. You can visit the webcam here.

The UW Physical Plant has 331 projects in progress valued at more than $44.2 million. Following is a list of ongoing construction activities in areas of campus that may impact you:

Engineering Building (Laramie Heating and Sheet Metal, July 2015) -- The A/C unit for room 1032A is being replaced. Work will be ongoing July 17-22. Please use caution around construction areas.

Engineering Building (Laramie Heating and Sheet Metal, Laramie) -- Metal siding for the new exhaust fan duct work will be moved to the roof via crane. Work is expected either July 21 or 22. The crane will be set up on the roadway between the Engineering and Agriculture buildings. The staging, rigging and flying process should take only 2-3 hours. Traffic control barricades will be in place. Don’t step over or walk around the barricades and be cautious in the area. 

Student Health/Cheney Center (The Plumbing Company, Laramie, August 2015) -- Crews will be working in various rooms throughout the building to replace and upgrade heating system components beginning July 20. Building contacts have been notified.

Knight Hall Student Financial Operations (JC Construction, Laramie; September 2015) -- A renovation of the cashiers area and the Office Suite 172 will begin July 20. Moving crews will relocate the furniture and temporary barriers will be established. Construction crews will enter and exit through the southwest Knight Hall corridor. Three parking spots have been reserved for contractor vehicles and a construction waste trailer. Traffic control barricades will be in place. Please be cautious of crews and equipment in the area.

Landmark Square Apartments (Highland Landscaping, Laramie; June 2016) -- Landscape improvements and a new sprinkler system are being installed for the entire Landmark Apartment property. Concrete removal and horizontal boring are in progress. Sod removal from the center quad will commence July 20. Traffic control barricades are in place. Please be cautious around excavation areas and equipment.

King Street (Big Huhnks Excavation, Laramie, July 2015) -- Excavation of the sanitary sewer in King Street, near Crane/Hill Cafeteria, will begin July 20. The road will remain partially open for traffic. Please use caution near construction crews and equipment.

Spanish Walk Apartments Exterior Building Repairs (Shepard Construction, Rawlins, August 2015) --Mobilization will occur with the staging area in the northeast corner of the complex. Lift equipment will be utilized to access the mansards at building perimeters. Use caution near crews and equipment.

Energy Innovation Center (UW Physical Plant, Custom Fabrication, Laramie; Trident Electric, Laramie, July 2015) -- A five-row solar array is being installed on the southeast roof of the building. This array will be used for solar power research and to supplement the electricity demand at the building. Tools and equipment will be brought to the roof via the northeast elevator and stairwell. Please be cautious in those areas.

Merica Hall (Contracts West Roofing Inc., Salt Lake City, Utah, September 2015) -- Roof replacement operations are ongoing, weather permitting. Work may occur on weekends to make up for rain delays. Sidewalks at the building perimeter will be closed as the roofing progresses. A man-lift will be used, requiring the circle drive south of the building to be reduced to one lane. Watch for crews and equipment, and avoid work areas.

College of Law (Big Horn Roofing, Laramie, UW Physical Plant, July 2015) -- Roof replacement is ongoing, weather permitting. The staging area is between the College of Law and the Arena-Auditorium/UniWyo Sports Complex for the first phase of the project. Use caution around the equipment.

College of Business (UW Physical Plant) -- Work will be ongoing to the sidewalk near the southeast door to correct drainage and prevent storm water from compromising the building foundation. Please use caution near this area.

Hoyt Hall (UW Physical Plant, Sweckard Construction, Laramie, July 2015) -- Repairs to the interior basement walls have begun in the northeast portion of the building. Please use caution near barricades and equipment.

Student Health First Floor Reception (Marshall Contracting, Laramie, August 2015) -- Construction has begun to renovate the first-floor reception area and two exam rooms. Please use caution around crews and equipment.

Wyoming Union (UW Physical Plant, July 2015) -- Upgrades around the east dining room are ongoing. Please use caution near crews and equipment. 

Buchanan Center for the Performing Arts (Arcon Inc., Laramie, July 2015) -- Parapet wall restoration is complete. Roof access door and punch list items are ongoing. Staging area has been reduced to a smaller area south of the building. Please watch for crews and equipment, and avoid work areas.

Physical Sciences (Fremont Electric, Laramie, July 2015) -- Work on the first and third floors is complete. Work will be ongoing to upgrade LED lighting on the second floor. Use caution near crews and equipment.

Lewis Street (Mechanical Systems Inc., Cheyenne, July 2015) -- Crews and equipment will be working on the main drive in Greenhill Cemetery. Please be aware of temporary barricades, crews and vehicles in the area.

Centennial Complex (Marshall Contracting, August 2015) -- Renovations are ongoing in the existing kitchen and dining areas on the first floor of the complex. These areas will be renovated to be used as a classroom and studio to support the Art Museum’s K-12 programs and other education initiatives. Construction is mostly contained within the existing kitchen and dining areas. Use caution around crews and equipment in the area.

Animal Science/Molecular Biology (Fremont Electric, Laramie, July 2015) -- Installation will be ongoing for LED retrofitting in the existing lights throughout the building. Work is anticipated to take several weeks.

Classroom Upgrades Project (UW Physical Plant and Shepard Construction, Laramie, August 2015) -- Construction is underway in College of Education Rooms 6, 45 and 47; the College of Agriculture auditorium and Room 229; and the first floor of the Classroom Building. Please be aware of crews and equipment in the area of these classrooms.

History Building (Arcon Inc., Laramie, July 2015) -- Renovations to the first-floor restroom and Rooms 57, 60, 152, 155 and 156 are in progress. The first-floor restroom will be closed throughout the renovation. Use caution near crews and equipment in the basement and first-floor areas.

Wyoming Union (Commercial One Flooring, July 2015) -- Installation of new flooring in the passenger and loading dock elevators is complete.

Fire Pump Testing (UW Physical Plant, July 2015) -- Annual fire pump testing is complete.

Parking Lot Striping (UW Physical Plant, July 2015) -- Parking lot striping is anticipated to be complete July 17, weather permitting.

White Hall (A&R Metal, Laramie, August 2015) -- Stairwell smoke pressurization modifications are complete.

UW Police Annex (UW Physical Plant) -- Concrete repairs to correct drainage issues are complete.