UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Summer is in full swing at University Park and Penn State’s Office of Physical Plant has embarked on another season of construction and renovation projects.
OPP, the Penn State Parking Office and project contractors will work to minimize disruption to the campus community wherever possible. An interactive construction map identifying campus construction projects is available on the OPP website. In addition, the new Campus Visitor Map also will offer construction information where needed.
OPP will provide periodic updates on summer projects during the next few months.
Roadwork and parking upgrades
There are a number of projects affecting roadways and parking areas, including:
- Hastings Road will undergo a three-phase reconstruction. The phases will maintain delivery and parking lot access, but detours will be in place. The reconstruction includes new curbing, storm sewers, sidewalks, and gas and water main lines. Work began May 7 and will continue through early August.
- Intersection and signal upgrades are currently in progress where Park Avenue meets University Drive. Most work will be off the roadway, allowing traffic to maintain flow through the area.
- The Shields Building parking lot and entrance will be undergoing a reconfiguration beginning in June. The lot will be offline for about six weeks.
- The Nittany Parking Deck will be undergoing elevator replacement between July and October. One elevator will be available at all times.
- The HUB Parking Deck also is receiving upgraded elevator components. The deck only has one elevator, so all accessible parking will be at ground level for the duration of the project. Stairs will provide the only access to all other parking levels. Work will be completed by late June.
- Eisenhower Parking Deck rehabilitation will include façade, masonry and joint repairs. One level of the garage will be offline at a time during the work.
Utility and envelope work
- Currently underway along the Henderson Mall is preparation for a steam line replacement. Once the work is complete, the sidewalk between Henderson Building and the Biobehavioral Health Building will be replaced.
- Starting June 4, the patio in front of Rec Hall will be restored. The project is expected to be complete by the end of August.
- Masonry work also has begun on Boucke Building and Old Botany, and roof replacements will be completed at Walker, Research East, Electrical Engineering West, Transportation Research and Outreach between May and November.
New construction
- Renovations are complete at Stuart Hall, the final part of Phase 1A of the East Halls renovation. Phase 1B, which consists of new Martin Hall and renovation of McKean and Pennypacker halls, will be ready for fall semester occupancy. Phase 1C is set to begin this summer as Tener, Pinchot and Brumbaugh halls are taken offline.
- Work continues on the new Chemical and Biomedical Engineering facility. The building, which is expected to be complete by the end of 2018 for an opening in 2019, will co-house the departments of Chemical Engineering and Biomedical Engineering. It replaces Fenske Laboratory.
- Esber Recital Hall’s renovation and addition is nearing completion. The project included turning Esber into a large ensemble rehearsal space and adding on a 400-seat recital hall to the east side of the building.
- Construction on the new Steam Services Building attached to the West Campus Steam Plant begins this summer with an expected completion date of July 2019. The facility will be more than 33,000 square feet and offer both shop space and crew space.