Campus Construction Update for April 20

These are among the construction activities scheduled April 20-26 at the University of Wyoming:

University Store Remodeling (General contractor Arcon Inc., Laramie; scheduled completion April 2014) -- Phase 1 of the remodeling in the lower level of the University Store in the Wyoming Union is complete. Phase 2 (east side of the mail level) also is complete. The store is open for business for normal operating hours (Mondays through Fridays, 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m.). Construction on the northwest side of the store is ongoing. Signs are posted to direct patrons around construction operations. Please use caution in the area.

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. Signing in the dorm area directs the traffic to the appropriate access. The contractor will install temporary water connections at the south side of Crane and Hill halls. 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 will reroute 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.

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) -- The contractor will begin staging materials on site during the week of May 5. Construction fencing around materials staging area (north of Ivinson Street) and first phase of sidewalk replacement in front of Merica Hall will take place starting May 12. The straight north-south section of sidewalk from Ivinson Street to Merica Hall, the Northwest diagonal sidewalk from Ivinson Street to Old Main and the east-west section of sidewalk (and  concrete stairs) south of Merica Hall will be closed for construction. Pedestrians are advised to take alternate routes to both Merica Hall and Old Main from the Ivinson Street parking lot beginning May 12. Work on this project is expected 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 starting and will proceed in areas 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 into June. Steel erection is expected to start in late April with arrival of structural steel starting mid-April before the arrival of the crane. Concrete, reinforcing steel and fill material delivery will continue based on requirements to sustain the work in progress. 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, with resulting heavy truck traffic. Job trailers, storage containers, materials and equipment are on site. The fenced construction area and fenced storage yards along Lewis will be secured construction areas. The storage yard north of Lewis between 11th and 12th, and the storage yard south of Lewis between 12th and 13th, are fenced and slowly filling with materials and office trailers. Watch for materials being moved from storage to the job site. The width of 10th, 11th and Bradley streets around the Enzi STEM Facility site has been reduced to two-way traffic. Vehicles cannot park along 10th and 11th streets. Parking remains on the north of Bradley Street. Utilities will be done in conjunction with planned north campus utility work. For a webcam view, visit http://oxblue.com/open/APWyoming/STEMProject.

Half Acre Gymnasium Addition and Renovation (General contractor Groathouse Construction Inc., Cody; scheduled completion of Phase 1, east reconstruction, 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 work for Phase 1, consisting of the reconstruction of the east portion of the existing building, continues this week. 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. Temporary staging/construction areas also may be established, with limited notice, near the west entrance and along the pedestrian pathways north of Half Acre Gymnasium between Prexy’s Pasture and Willett Drive as required by the ongoing construction-related tasks.

Structural steel erection is progressing on the Phase 1 east reconstruction portion of the project. 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 commencing with building systems rough-in, masonry, wall and ceiling systems framing, and fireproofing underway. Exterior building enclosure work will be underway shortly, including exterior framing, envelope thermal and moisture protection systems, stone and brick masonry, openings and roofing.

Biological Sciences Building Mechanical Modifications (General Contractor Independent Heating and Sheet Metal, Laramie) -- Interior work is complete, along with the corridor heating unit modifications. Control wiring and programming continue. Testing and balancing of the air systems and heating water are complete and will resume after the chilled water and evaporative cooling systems are filled this spring. Punch lists for the fifth floor are complete. Commissioning work will take place Tuesday, April 22, for evaporative cooling for the lab areas. Chilled water balancing and commissioning for office areas is scheduled for mid-May.

Marian H. Rochelle Gateway Center (General contractor Haselden Constructors, Casper; 22nd and Grand; scheduled completion fall 2014) -- The mullion caps and exterior caulking for the large curtain wall windows are being installed on the west elevation of the building. The substrate for the fiber cement panels and metal panels is complete allowing for sample panels to be installed before installation of the two systems. Rough grading and excavation for the site wall foundations is underway and landscaping boulders are scheduled to be installed next week. Drywall is being installed in Legacy Hall and War Memorial Concourse. Suspended ceiling systems are beginning installation in War Memorial Concourse. In the north portion of the building, flooring is being installed and will be complete by next week. Wood millwork and trim is being installed in the Ballroom and the Presidential Suite. Floor tile installation continues in bathrooms on the first and second floors. Lights and diffusers are being installed on the second floor of the south wing. The suspended ceiling system is being installed on the third floor. Additional project information is available here. Click here for updated images taken by the construction cam.

Arena-Auditorium Renovations (General contractor Haselden Constructors, Casper; Willett Drive; scheduled completion fall 2014) -- Due to the renovations taking place, the arena is closed to the public for all recreational purposes. The project will be complete by Oct. 1, 2014. The bus stop located at the Willett West entry to the arena has been relocated to the east side of the A-A between the arena and the Rochelle Athletic Center. The Athletics ticketing office has been relocated to the east side of the arena at the stadium entrance to the arena. The project involves replacing the existing competition floor. The floor will be raised 18 inches and rotated to accommodate practice courts on either side of the competition floor. To accomplish this, the majority of the existing retaining walls will be removed and relocated further back from the competition floor.

The existing lower-bowl seating will be replaced with wider cushioned seating, including integrated cup holders. Telescopic seating will be installed from row 12 to the competition floor. This seating will be retracted to expose the new practice floor during non-event practice times. Two new video boards, positioned on each end of the arena, will replace the existing video board. Video boards also will be installed on the front of the scorer’s tables on either side of the competition floor. New LED competition court lighting will be installed to replace the existing system. The existing audio system also will be replaced. On the sub-concourse level the existing locker rooms, sports medicine room and conditioning room will be renovated. A new video production room will be created in the Fieldhouse North from which both stadium and arena events will be broadcast.

Current construction activity consists of demolition and deconstruction. Ventilation systems have been installed to ventilate the arena bowl during demolition. The existing video board is being deconstructed. Micro pile foundation components that will support new retaining walls as well as soil nails to secure the remaining seating platforms are being installed around the arena floor. In the sub-concourse level, the existing mechanical and electrical systems are being deconstructed and altered to accommodate the design of the new spaces. The officials’ locker room in Fieldhouse North is being deconstructed to allow for the new video production room.

Education Annex -- Literacy Research Center and Clinic (General contractor Shepard Construction Inc., Rawlins) -- The facility was dedicated March 27. 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.

Golf Practice Facility (General contractor Spiegelberg Lumber and Building Co., Laramie) -- Construction activities for the project continue in the vicinity of the Jacoby Golf Course clubhouse. Substantial completion of the building proper was achieved March 28. However, installation of specialty putting turf, furnishings and equipment continues. Site work has resumed as weather and ground conditions allow. Please observe all posted traffic control and construction signage.

Agriculture Buildings A, B and D Deconstruction (General contractor Grant Mackay Demolition Co., Bountiful, Utah; Lewis Street, between 12th and 13th streets) -- Deconstruction is complete. Four HC parking spaces are open in the alley, along with one “U” and two state/federal spaces. Additional “U” and state/federal spaces will be opened along the alley. The fire department access loop has been relocated along the west of the Education Building. Access to the alley along the north side of the Agriculture Building will remain open. This site will be used for construction storage for the Enzi STEM project and Half Acre Gymnasium addition and renovation. 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. Portions of the site may be used for equipment and service truck parking. The site will not be open for general parking.

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.

Part of the west sidewalk along the north end is closed to pedestrians for the next two months during the exaction and installation of an electrical equipment screened wall. Footing excavation, rebar placement and pouring continue, along with foundation walls. 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 south side and middle area of addition. Exterior framing and sheathing installation are continuing on the north. Rough-in plumbing and electrical is ongoing. Concrete slabs on grade and on metal decking are ongoing on the north side of the building. Work on the existing practice rooms is complete, with more work in existing areas scheduled to begin May 19. 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 is nearly complete. Programming controllers will be ongoing. Engineering air distribution and control work will begin May 12.

The UW Physical Plant has 317 projects in progress valued at more than $21 million. Following is a list of ongoing construction activities in areas of campus that may impact you.

Snow Removal -- Physical Plant crews will remove snow as needed throughout the season. Watch for snow removal equipment, be careful and safe during snow events, and call the Service Desk, 766-6225, to report ice spots and problem areas.

Engineering Building -- The air handlers will be shut down for coil cleaning from 8 a.m.-noon Saturday, April 26. This will improve the energy efficiency of the system. Building contacts have been notified.

Berry Biodiversity Conservation Center (General Contractor; Mullen’s Heating and Sheet Metal, Laramie; scheduled completion, April 22) -- The main air-handling system for the building air supply will be down during normal working hours April 22 and 23, to install new air filters. These are a new style of energy-efficient filter that will reduce electrical consumption, provide cleaner air and require less maintenance. Project should have less than a two-year simple payback.

Earth Sciences Building -- (Shepard Construction, Rawlins; scheduled completion this month) -- Minor roof repairs will begin on the penthouse. Noise should be minimal. Work is anticipated to be complete by April 25.

SAREC Research Farm, Lingle (General contractor Hi Plains Construction, Torrington; scheduled completion June 2014) -- Construction to replace a machine storage building that collapsed in 2013 is ongoing. Please use caution near construction area and around equipment.

Energy Innovation Center -- Work has begun on Phase 1 for renovations on a laboratory ventilation system. Please be aware of crews in the area.

Wyoming State Veterinary/Chemistry Laboratory (Big Horn Roofing, Laramie; scheduled completion May 2014) -- Low slope roof replacement continues as weather permits. Please use caution in loading areas and around equipment drive areas.

Wyoming Hall (Big Horn Roofing, Laramie; scheduled completion May 2014) -- Replacement of all upper-level roof membranes is complete with the exception of installing concrete paver walkways and addressing punch list items. Primary staging has been removed. Energy efficiency will improve with the addition of tapered insulation crickets to direct drainage to roof drains. Please use caution near staging area and equipment.

University of Wyoming Family Medicine Residency at Casper (Simon Contractors, Cheyenne; scheduled completion May 2014) -- Work is expected to be complete by April 25 on ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) and general parking lot improvements. Access to the parking lot will be via the east entrance as the south entrance will be closed. Please use caution near equipment and crews.

Cheyenne Family Practice (Reiman Corp. and Subsidiary, Cheyenne; scheduled completion July 2014) -- Work is expected to be complete by April 25 for ADA and general parking lot improvements. Please use caution near equipment and crews.

General Storage Addition (General contractor Arcon Inc., Laramie; scheduled completion April 2014) -- Interior work will continue this week. 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 are complete with the exception of detail work and exit deck pavers. Director’s Court ventilation modification is complete with the exception of wall grilles. West perimeter landscaping and sprinkler system modification is scheduled to begin.  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.

War Memorial Fieldhouse (General contractor Haselden Construction, Casper; scheduled completion April 2014) -- Construction of the locker rooms is complete; punch list items continue.