With the completion of Upchurch University Center and Brock Hall Student Success Center opening dates nearing, there are two renovation projects being planned and two with designs waiting for approval, according Louise Waller, the associate vice president of campus planning and construction.
The plans for a new academic building and admissions building are being reviewed by the Bureau of Capital Outlay Management, according to Waller.
“The admissions building is going to be on High Street,” Waller said. “That project is at BCOM, Bureau of Capital Outlay Management, they are our building official. They are reviewing the drawings and they hope to issue a permit this spring. Once they approve the drawings we’ll be able to go out to bid.”
According to Waller, the goal is to begin construction in late spring.
Additionally, a new academic building is being planned.
“The new academic building, which is going to be behind French Hall, on the former Barlow tennis court site,” Waller said. “We’re also waiting for BECOM to approve the drawings…That can go out to bid as well.”
According to Waller, the admissions building should take about 14 months to construct and the new academic building about 20 months to construct.
“We’re very excited, both will be tremendous additions to campus and we should be underway this summer on both of them,” said Waller.
The new admissions building is being built, according to Waller, to improve recruitment.
“We feel that to put our best foot forward, a really nice admissions building and really, visitor center in many ways, is going to be very important,” said Waller.
The funding for both buildings will come from state appropriations made by Virginia's general assembly, she said.
The academic building will have collaboration space for students, lab space for health, athletic training, and kinesiology and a faculty café.
“I think this will help with recruitment and retention for students as well as faculty," said Waller.
Curry Hall and Frazer Hall are slated for renovation, according to Waller.
“They have not had any significant renovation work performed since they were constructed in 1969 and 1970,” Waller said. “The building systems are in need or upgrades.”
According to Waller, Frazer Hall will be renovated from May 2018 to August 2019, and Curry Hall from May 2019 to August 2020.
Together, they will cost about $60 million, according to Waller. The money was borrowed and will gradually be paid back from housing fees.
“Our two most visible projects that we have right now are Upchurch University Center and Brock Hall Student Success Center,” said Waller.
Brock Hall, according to Waller, is nearest to completion.
“The contractor on that project has experienced significant delays due to the weather.” said Waller. "The interior of that building is about 98 percent complete. The exterior, there’s a lot of site work left.”
According to Waller, the hope is that the building will be completed by spring break.
Upchurch University Center is scheduled to open September 2018, according to Waller.
“We’re (Campus Planning) trying to figure out a move-in around fall break and opening up right after fall break," said Waller. "There’s still a few uncertainties left in the furniture delivery we’re still trying to coordinate."
Continue to follow The Rotunda for more updates.
The three-floor Upchurch University Center is now projected to be complete by September 2018 after numerous delays in construction.
Due to weather delays, Brock Hall is expected to be complete by spring break in March. Originally, it was projected for completion by the start of the spring semester.
