Groundbreaking news: Few disruptions from summer construction

Campus will be buzzing with construction activity this summer, but expect minimal disruptions to foot and vehicle traffic on campus.

A few of the UO’s larger renovations, expansions and building projects are nearing completion, while others are just getting started. Here’s a rundown of where you’ll notice a few extra drills, cranes and hardhats around campus:

Chapman Hall

The home of the Clark Honors College will be completely vacated by the middle of August so the interior renovation of the building can begin. The building will undergo a significant remodeling, creating space that will better meet the needs of the honors college.

Most faculty have already left the building to prepare for asbestos removal in August. They will use office space in 1715 Franklin Blvd. until the Clark Honors College takes up temporary residence in McArthur Court this August. 

The logistics plan for interior demolition is expected soon. Full-scale construction will begin in January and is slated for completion by the end of 2017.

Berwick Hall

On June 17th, ground was broken on Berwick Hall, the new permanent home of the Oregon Bach Festival. This 10,000 square-foot, two-story building will offer new rehearsal, recital, lecture, reception and administrative space designed to suit the acoustic needs of the festival.

Parking Lot 22, on the south side of the Frohnmayer Music Building, will be closed for the duration of construction activity, while the roads adjacent to the construction site will remain open. This includes 18th Avenue, the fire lane and Pioneer Cemetery.

The building will be ready for the sound of music by the 2017 season.

Erb Memorial Union

The new and improved EMU is already a hub of activity with nearly every student organization, campus service and eatery up and running.

Some of the last t’s to cross and i’s to dot before the grand opening include renovations in the Taylor Lounge and the south mezzanine that will continue through mid-August, and in the ballroom and McMillan Gallery until mid-September. Townsend Tea and Red Wagon Creamery plan to open at the beginning of the fall quarter.

Price Science Commons and Research Library

The Allan Price Science Commons and Research Library is nearing its finish line. The main entrance will open its doors in July and classroom construction will be completed by the time school is back in session in September. The facility’s library is already open and ready for research.

Other Summer Construction Projects

  • It takes time to build something from below the ground up, but the basement of the new residence hall in east campus is now complete, and the construction crew will continue to work on the project throughout the summer.
  • The largest library on campus will undergo a number of updates. Expect to see new furniture, carpeting and paint in Knight Library as well modernized elevators. Special Collections will also upgrade its heating and air-conditioning system and fire alarms.
  • Klamath Hall will replace its domestic water line. Between July 11-22,  traffic may increase traffic at the Klamath and Onyx loading docks as new furniture gets delivered to the buildings.
  • The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art will replace its roof.
  • Information Services will be moving to the Computing Center around the middle of August.

Check the UO Parking website for updated information on campus construction.

—By Emily Halnon, University Communications