While the East End Transformation may be the largest construction project underway, it’s not the only one. Take a look at what the team accomplished during our most ambitious summer construction schedule ever.
Bryan Hall and Pedestrian Bridge – ongoing
Last summer, we started to transform Bryan Hall into a world-class facility for the Department of Chemistry in Arts & Sciences. This summer, crews worked on the building interiors and exterior – adding a new modern glass and terra cotta skin façade – with construction slated for completion in January 2018.
Also included in this project is the modification of the pedestrian and bike bridge over Forest Park Parkway, which is part of the Centennial Greenway. We continue to pursue permits to replace the bridge and walkway over Forest Park Parkway. If permits can be obtained from University City and St. Louis County, the university would like to perform the work next summer. In the interim, bicycle and pedestrian traffic from campus across the existing bridge is now restored. Throop Drive will remain closed to through traffic until the completion of Bryan Hall in January of 2018. Until then, vehicular access from the east on Throop Drive end at Jolley Hall, and access from the west ends outside of McMillen Lab. The east-west pedestrian detour will continue to be open as construction is completed.
Millstone Plaza
Millstone Plaza, which connects inner campus to the Forest Park Parkway bridge and is part of the Centennial Greenway, received a complete renovation this year. The project is now in its final stages and when completed will feature a redesigned ramp connecting to the Parkway bridge. Other enhancements will include landscaping and additional lighting.
Olin Library – ongoing
We continue to make progress on the Olin Library expansion. This expansion adds two levels of space below Whispers Café and creates new space for Geographic Information Systems and other technology needs.
In October of this year, the south entrance to the library will close for renovation, and the new north entrance to the building will open. The south entrance will be closed through the end of the fall semester. When the south entrance is complete, both the north and south entrances will be open.
Houston Way Steam Pipe Replacement
We installed a new steam pipe and underground utilities beneath Houston Way. When the pavement was replaced, a portion of the pathway was designated as a bike lane, indicated by a different color of concrete. Going forward, this pigmented paving will be used to indicate all bike lanes on campus.
Brookings Tuckpointing and Windows
From June to August, tuckpointing (the removal and replacement of deteriorated, damaged and missing mortar in between brick or other masonry surfaces) was completed on iconic Brookings Hall. In July, windows in Brookings Room 300 were replaced.
Francis Field Track
Just in time for fall athletics, the track at Francis Field has been resurfaced, and the practice area, known to some as “the sled,” was regraded and received new sod.
Parking Garages
With a new parking plan now in place, we’re starting to prepare our parking garages for the installation of pull and pay technology (PARCS) which will allow for visitors to pull a ticket and pay. When fully implemented, parking permit holders will drive up to an entry gate, which will automatically read the RFID chip embedded in each permit. The system will allow entry into the garage if the permit holder is in the correct zone and/ or within a valid timeframe.