Over the past semester, multiple construction projects at the University of Maryland were completed — including phase one of McKeldin Mall construction — but others are ongoing. Here is a short summary of the continuing large construction projects on the campus:
Brendan Iribe Center for Computer Science and Innovation
This building, which will focus on research and innovations in topics including virtual reality and robotics, will have 13 computer labs, eight collaborative classrooms, five seminar rooms and 785 seats of instructional space once it is completed in 2018. It is located at the corner of Baltimore Avenue and Campus Drive.
Construction on the $142 million project began this fall after closing and fencing off the surrounding area this past summer. This semester, construction crews focused on relocating the underground utility lines for water, sanitary sewage and natural gas, said Bill Olen, executive director of planning and construction. The excavation for the basement of the center was also completed this semester.
During winter break, work will begin on the concrete foundations for the 215,600-square-foot building. The installation of the steel structure for the center — which is a six-month process — will begin and be the main focus of the project during the spring semester.
School of Public Health
Phase one of this project, which incorporated funding of $3.2 million to renovate old locker rooms on the first floor of the building into offices and conference rooms, was completed in November, Olen said. Now crews are starting up and testing the mechanical systems so that faculty can move into the new offices after winter break.
Facilities officials are still waiting on phase two of the project — where even more locker space will be renovated into teaching studios and labs — to be approved for $4.9 million in funding, “but hopefully construction will start in late spring,” Olen said.
Olen added that this construction project helps take care of the increasing number of students enrolled in the college.
A. James Clark Hall
The building was completely enclosed in early November after 15 months of construction. Brickwork was also completed in November. Insulation of lab case work — otherwise known as fixed furniture in the labs — began in October, Olen said.
Now, crews have started up mechanical systems that will provide heat to the building in the winter — not just for the construction workers, but also for work in the building that requires a certain temperature. Painting, which can’t be done unless it’s above 50 degrees within the building, is included in that category. Next semester, insulation of the walls, ceiling and floor material will be put in.
“This is the largest project in College Park right now, and there’s just about 6 months left of construction,” Olen said. “It will provide needed expansion for the Clark School of Engineering and for the bioengineering department with added research and teaching space for students and faculty.”
Edward St. John Learning and Teaching Center
Construction for this $119-million project, which started in June 2014, will finish by the end of December, Olen said. Right now, construction workers are completing interior and exterior work to the building.
During winter break crews will begin to install AV systems and the rest of the fixed seating for the 22 classrooms, which have flexible and varying layouts to foster collaboration. Construction in the spring semester will consist of moving in furniture, setting up the nine chemistry labs housed in the building and finishing the surrounding landscape.
Olen said he expects the building to be open in time for summer session I classes in June.
Cole Field House
It has been almost a year since construction began on the facility, and in that time, crews have demolished parts of the building including its north end, the old roof and the bowl. Insulation of the 30-foot concrete walls put in while demolishing the bowl will be completed in several weeks, and is the last part of the demolition, Olen said.
“It’s a huge project, and it took us a lot of time to do the demolition,” Olen said. “A big portion of the work can actually be seen on the webcam online, so people can look that up and be up to date on our progress.”
The $45-million phase one of this project, which is the creation of an indoor practice facility, is expected to be finished in May. Phase two, which will include a research facility and clinic in addition to the indoor practice facility, will cost $110 million and will be completed by late 2018.
H.J. Patterson Hall
The $18.6 million construction project finished the week before Thanksgiving, Olen said. Construction included upgrading windows, adding a new elevator, upgrading fire alarms, as well as adding new restrooms that meet the American Disability Act to wing one of the building.
This building will be dedicated to international affairs and will host a “Global Crossroads” area, where students and faculty can gather to eat at the international café and celebrate international events, Olen said. Furniture is being installed and occupants will move into the building over winter break.
