Construction update: July 10, 2020

July 10, 2020

Facilities Services’ Division of Design and Construction is continuing with construction activities across the Fairbanks campus. Five major projects are impacting access around campus, including the east/west access on Tanana Loop in front of the Patty and Lola Tilly buildings.

Please be aware that normal campus pathways and building access have changed during these projects. If you need assistance with physical access to this space, please notify your supervisor or request access through the Department of Equity and Compliance .

You’ll find information on all active construction projects planned for summer 2020 on the construction map here (PDF) .

Project #13/14 on the 2020 construction map: The South Chandalar/Tanana Drive Road Improvements project will rebuild roads, curbs, and sidewalks to improve pedestrian safety and address long-needed road maintenance. The work includes new storm drains along South Chandalar, Tanana and Denali Lane that will reduce the frequent melt-water backups in the spring. Separated pedestrian paths and improved crossings will be installed along with new lighting.

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is managing the construction project, which was funded as part of the Fairbanks Area Transportation System transportation improvement projects. Tanana Loop and South Chandalar have been paved and reopened to through-traffic. The area is an active construction zone, so please watch for contractors completing sidewalks and landscaping. Denali Lane will remain closed through the end of July.

New floor tiles replaced the 50-year-old quarry tile in the Gruening Building. Photo courtesy of UAF's Division of Design and Construction.

Project #11 on the 2020 construction pap: The Gruening ground floor refresh is renovating the elevator lobby, corridors and portions of the stairwells to provide a clean and contemporary appearance. Work includes new floor tile, paint, ceilings and lighting. It will also create a new student lounge where students can study or work together between classes. The first phase of the work in the elevator lobby is complete and the contractor has moved on the south side of the building for Phase 2. All of the work will be substantially complete by the middle of August.

An elevator is being installed in the stairwell of Constitution Hall during summer 2020. Photo courtesy of UAF's Division of Design and Construction.

Project #10 on the 2020 construction map: The Constitution Hall renovations project began construction in mid-May and will run through the end of September. It will renovate the main stairwell, including replacing the worn entry, the non-compliant ADA ramp and steps, and installing a snowmelt system to improve safety.

An elevator will be installed to provide ADA access to all floors. The third floor will be renovated to serve as the new home for the Department of Equity and Compliance , which ensures compliance with UA nondiscrimination policies and Civil Rights laws. The contractor will secure the area between Constitution Hall and Constitution Plaza (“Turtle Circle”) to remove and replace the exterior entry.

The Alumni Office and the barber shop have been temporarily relocated to Lathrop Hall for the duration of the construction. The Alumni Office is in Lathrop Room 201. The barber shop is in Lathrop Room 115.

The generous stairwells have been reduced to make way for a new elevator!

Demolition on Level 3 of Constitution Hall has removed all of the walls inside. The history of construction in the 1950’s is being exposed before new walls are erected.

Demolition on Level 3 of Constitution Hall has removed all of the walls inside. The history of construction in the 1950s is being exposed before new walls are erected. Photo courtesy of UAF's Division of Design and Construction.

Project #12 on the 2020 construction pap: The Gruening 7th Floor Repurpose will renovate an under-utilized portion of the 7th floor to create new teaching space for the UAF School of Education. Funded by a private gift, the construction work will create a new collaborative learning space that can flex from hosting seminars to a traditional classroom setting or breakout spaces for personalized learning. Besides programmatic changes, the work will also update finishes and furnishings throughout the School of Education’s space on the seventh floor, giving the program a fresh look for the upcoming school year. Construction work will be completed around the end of September.

Construction and COVID-19: Construction and maintenance of public works is considered essential activity under the current State of Alaska COVID-19 health mandates. All UAF employees and contractor staff associated with construction activity at UAF facilities have established workplace safety controls to protect themselves and the public from transmission of COVID-19.

For more information, call Facilities Services at 474-7000 or visit the Design and Construction website.