Campus Construction Update

Howdy! Congratulations on all your achievements this semester. As we prepare to wrap up this academic year, I write to provide you with an update about some of the major construction projects in and around campus, in particular those that impact mobility and access.

Work continues on many of the roads both on and surrounding campus.

• The Old Main Drive/Wellborn Road Safety Enhancement is progressing. Wellborn Road will remain open during construction; however, frequent lane closures are planned throughout the project. This project, once completed, will provide a safe path for pedestrians, bicycles, buses and vehicles to travel under Wellborn Road and the railroad tracks. You may view a video rendering at this website. In the meantime, expect delays and plan accordingly. This project is scheduled for completion September 2013.
• Work continues along University Drive (FM60) as the City of College Station and the State of Texas make improvements. We anticipate frequent changes to traffic patterns on Wellborn Road, University Drive and all the roads intersecting with University Drive. Ultimately the project will transform a portion of College Main into a pedestrian mall at University Drive; permanently changing the entrance and exit to campus at Houston Street. This project is scheduled for completion August 2013.
• Work has begun on Joe Routt Boulevard between Koldus and Rudder Tower (between Houston and Throckmorton Streets). This improvement is designed to make pedestrian travel between the two building safer and easier. More information is available here. This project is scheduled for completion September 2012.
• The City of Bryan is re-working the intersection of Old College Road and College Main. The intersection will reopen in late May or early June. At that time traffic will be southbound only along College Main and will remain that way until completion of the project May 2013.
• The City of College Station is working on the extension of Penberthy/Jones Butler Road from George Bush Drive to Luther Street. Work will likely begin this Fall (2012) and is expected to continue through Spring 2013
• An overpass is being constructed on State Highway 47 in front of the Health Science Center.
• An overpass is being constructed at the intersection of FM 2818 and Villa Maria Road.

Several major projects will conclude summer 2012:

• The Liberal Arts, Arts and Humanities Building located to the west of the J.K. Williams Administration Building – just north of the Animal Industries Building, is scheduled for completion summer 2012. This will include the refurbishment of the sidewalks and plaza adjacent to the Glasscock building and the sidewalks and green space in the East Quadrangle. Two of the construction trailers will be moved to the east side of the East Quadrangle in preparation for renovations to Scoates Hall and the J.K. Williams building (more information below).
• The renovation of Corps Dorm 8 – Harrell Hall and the attached Leadership Learning Center is scheduled for completion summer 2012.
• The new athletic facility called the Player Development Center is being erected near the Bright Athletic Complex and will alter access to Lots 59, 48 and 69. Details are available online. This project is scheduled for completion late summer 2012.

A current major project due for completion in 2013:

• Work on the new Northside Residence Hall continues. This new 600 bed facility is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2013.

Several new projects will begin in the coming months:

• Corps Dorm (Lacy Hall) will be renovated and connected to the Leadership Learning Center beginning in May 2012. The project is scheduled for completion May 2013.
• The construction of a Physical Education Activity Program building to house the Health & Kinesiology Department is scheduled to begin on West Campus near the tennis complex in May 2012. It is slated for completion in July 2013.
• The J.K. Williams Administration Building will undergo extensive renovations and capital renewal. This will address architectural needs of the occupants, ADA and fire/life safety requirements, and deferred maintenance needs. Work at J.K. Williams is expected to start in early fall and will be tied to a second project – Scoates Hall. Scoates will be renovated to address life safety accessibility and infrastructure requirements.
• There has been a great deal of discussion about Kyle Field. TAMU has selected Populous to lead the design study phase for the renovation and expansion of Kyle Field. Over the next several months Populous will develop concepts and conduct research. Construction will potentially begin following the 2013 football season. Though some minor construction will occur in and around Kyle Field prior to the 2012 season.

Repairs and changes to the YMCA following the campus flooding in February are underway and will be completed by July 1, 2012.

We have completed work on a number of major projects – most notably, the Memorial Student Center which was reopened and rededicated on April 21, 2012. Blue Bell Park at Olsen Field has already welcomed thousands of Aggies to baseball games this season. The Combined Heat and Power upgrade to our campus utilities is complete and has already improved efficiency.

As always, you may refer to the online campus map for up-to-date information about construction on campus. Construction zones are denoted with a red mesh overlay. Clicking on the construction zone will open a dialog box with the name of the project, the start and estimated end dates, and a link to additional information (which includes funding information). You may enable or disable this feature using the Construction check box on the Legend tab.

In closing, I want to thank all of you for your patience with the temporary inconveniences created by these projects.

Congratulations to our graduating seniors and your families. Finally, I wish each of you – students, faculty, staff and visitors – a safe and happy summer.

Dr. Rodney P. McClendon
Vice President for Administration