With spring semester wrapping up, summer construction projects are gearing up across campus.
“In general, the summer is always a busy time [for construction],” said Clayton Wilcox, a business manager in the facilities planning office. “A lot of this summer’s work will focus on the efficient utilization and/or repurposing of UGA’s existing spaces.”
In addition to several renovations scheduled for completion this summer, a few new construction and renovation projects begin in May.
Preparation for the demolition of Rutherford Hall will begin the week of May 13. After demolition, construction will begin on a new 260-bed residence hall in its former space in Myers Quad.
The School of Law’s rotunda will be renovated between late May and the end of July. Access to Hirsch Hall will be available at the law library exterior entrance.
Renovation of the main library will begin in May. Plans include revamping the sub-basement to accommodate the Map Library, currently housed on Whitehall Road. Also, University Press offices will relocate from Research Drive to the third floor of the library in June. At the science library, the main floor will be renovated, including the addition of large windows on the west side.
The Oglethorpe Dining Commons expansion is slated to open in August with an additional 11,000 square feet and new space to accommodate an additional 250 students.
The university will hold an open house for the Health Sciences Campus on Aug. 22 from 9 a.m.-noon. In July, the GHSU/UGA Medical Partnership will move into its headquarters at the Health Sciences Campus, and both the College of Public Health and Medical Partnership will begin offering classes there in the fall. A second phase of renovation will begin July 1.
The renovation of the Visual Arts Building—reconfiguring the space for the College of Environment and Design— should be completed in time for fall semester and the CED should move into the space in August.
The renovation of the second, third and fourth floors of Memorial Hall began earlier this spring. The area that used to house the faculty eatery is becoming offices for student affairs. The space will be restored to more of its original look from when it opened almost a century ago—original light fixtures, thick wood paneling and restored wood floors where carpet was previously. The historically sensitive build-out should be completed in fall semester. This construction will cause pedestrian detours in the area until the end of August. An additional sidewalk leading from Reed and Memorial halls to Reed Plaza will be closed May 14 through June 1 for installation of a fire main.
Also, three lane closures are planned for this summer. Construction will close Jackson Street in front of Baldwin Hall from May 14 to Aug. 3. The northbound lane will remain closed to traffic June 1 through Aug. 3. Roadwork is planned for the intersection of East Campus Road and Baldwin Street for one week between June 4 and July 27. Roadwork is also planned for Smith Street some time between May 14 and Aug. 3.
