Summer is construction season on campus
The end of the spring semester means the beginning of construction and renovation season for the Virginia Tech campus. Work continues on several ongoing projects and construction on several new projects will begin.
“Many people might think that the Virginia Tech campus slows down during the summer, but in reality this is a very busy and critical time for renovation and construction work,” said Sherwood Wilson, vice president for administration. “Much of this work can’t be done during the academic year without significant impact to students and faculty.”
Construction projects on campus this summer include:
- Davidson Hall addition: Work on the $31 million addition is nearly complete and the Department of Chemistry will begin occupying the building in June. The 45,000 square foot facility will provide modern laboratory and research space.
- Indoor Athletic Practice Facility: Construction of the $21 million practice facility will begin in June. It will be located on the existing football practice fields next to Lane Stadium. Construction is expected to be completed in summer 2015.
- Kentland Farm: Site work has already begun for the relocation of the Dairy Program from Southgate Drive to the farm. Work will continue through the summer with completion expected in spring 2015.
- Pritchard Hall: The residence hall will undergo nearly $3 million in renovations with parts of the building receiving new flooring as well as wheelchair accessible ramps and elevators. In addition, some rooms will be retrofitted to become offices and classrooms.
- Signature Engineering Building: Some minor work on the building remains, but the College of Engineering will begin occupying the $95 million building in June. The building will house classroom, research and office space. Classes in the building will begin fall semester 2014.
- Corps of Cadets Residence Hall: Foundation work for the new building is finishing up and construction of the concrete and steel building frame will begin this summer. The building will provide housing for the Corps of Cadets and is expected to be completed in summer 2015 at which time work on a second corps residence hall will begin.
Ten campus buildings will receive new fire alarm systems over the next year beginning with the Food Science and Technology Building this summer.
Renovations, repairs and maintenance will be done on several other buildings including: Campbell, Donaldson Brown, Harper, Hahn, Hillcrest, Lee, McBryde, Slusher, and Vawter halls. Work ranges from new roofs to interior improvements.
Landscape improvement include an overhaul of the area near East Eggleston and Owens halls and plantings along the Drillfield in front of Burruss Hall. A new seat wall will be built between the library and bookstore.
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech takes a hands-on, engaging approach to education, preparing scholars to be leaders in their fields and communities. As the commonwealth’s most comprehensive university and its leading research institution, Virginia Tech offers 240 undergraduate and graduate degree programs to more than 31,000 students and manages a research portfolio of $513 million. The university fulfills its land-grant mission of transforming knowledge to practice through technological leadership and by fueling economic growth and job creation locally, regionally, and across Virginia.
