By KAREN FENNIE

		Crews have begun raising the steel framework for the new University Field House (See it live on the webcam). The project is just one of many that will continue throughout the summer. When most students return in the fall they will find the campus a much different looking place than when they left last week. (Photo by Evangelos Dousmanis)

As the University heads into the summer construction season many of the 50-plus capital projects have been completed or are nearly complete. Still there will be plenty of construction activity on campus as other items remain on the Physical Facilities and capital plan to do lists. An update of the various projects follows:

New student housing
The state Dormitory Authority, the funding agency, is refining contract specifications and expects to send out bid proposals at the end of this month. Funding is now available for all of the needed site work and one building that would house 275 students in suite-style housing at a site between Hinman and College-in-the-Woods. If additional funds can be secured it is possible another 275-bed building would be constructed in this initial phase. The full complex is expected to house 1,000 students in four buildings and a dining hall. An environmental quality review will be conducted and reviewed by local government agencies, the state Department of Environmental Conservation and the Committee on University Environment. Once the environmental process is complete design work can begin. Site work could begin sometime this fall with a goal of occupying first phase of the complex in fall 2003.

University Union addition
While the contractor continues to focus on work inside the University Union addition, attention now shifts to outside site work including paving, building a loading dock, installing lighting and granite stairs and the completion of sitting walls and landscaping. The temporary steps near the Fine Arts have been removed and the only direct pathway from the Peace Quad area to the Library area will be through the Fine Arts building. If the contractor completes work on the building this fall as hoped, Physical Facilities crews will work on installing window treatments, installation of locks, carpeting, finishing out the bookstore space and running data wiring. If all goes well, some areas may be ready for occupancy by January 2002.

Field House
A 300-ton crane is now on site and erection of steel is under way and will continue throughout the summer. As part of this work the contractor has taken over parking lot F next to the West Gym and is making improvements including new lighting. University officials are working to ensure that the lot is returned to use by the time students return in the fall.

CIW site infrastructure
This summer, the bulk of the site improvement work on campus will occur at College-in-the-Woods where all the steps and plaza areas will be replaced. A hot water line that runs through the middle of the complex will also be replaced. Elsewhere, sometime this summer, Science III/IV steps will be replaced as well. No date has been established for this work.

Physical Facilities building addition
Work to relocate underground utilities and install new utilities for the Physical Facilities Addition has been ongoing since construction of this two-story building began in April. As soon as the utility work is completed, excavation for the foundation will occur. The building frame will be erected this summer as well. Completion of the shell of the building is scheduled for December.

Replacement of campus heating distribution system (Phase II)
Hinman College will be ground zero for this project this summer. Work involves connecting the exteior piping to the interior piping in the Hinman Dining Hall and the residential halls in the complex. Work is scheduled to be complete by August 23.

Technology infrastructure
This summer, six classrooms in the Engineering Building will have data connections for laptop computers, multimedia podiums, data projectors, new lighting, ceilings and new tablet arm chairs installed.

Library renovation
Work under way on the fourth floor of the Bartle Library will wrap up in July. Books will then be moved back to this area from the second floor. The second floor will then get study areas and carrels. Piping and wiring for the new mechanical equipment is under way. The new stairwell will likely be completed this summer.

Other capital projects
There are a number of electrical shutdowns planned this summer to advance the PCB transformer replacement project. As we get closer to each shutdown, reminders will be sent and buildings will be posted shortly before the shutdown. The elevator safety rehab project will culminate with elevators in CIW this summer. Work to replace roofs on the Anderson Center and portions of the Fine Arts Building will also begin this summer. The roof on Johnson Hall will be replaced and the roof on Broome Hall will be partially replaced and repaired. A project to improve safety in laboratories will continue throughout the summer. With the recent completion of the new Chemical Waste Storage Facility, the old facility connected to Science I will be demolished in August to make way for a reconfiguration of parking in that area. A project to expand the Art Gallery space in the Fine Arts Building is also taking place this summer.

Here is a sample of some of the other work under way.
— Construction of a volleyball and basketball courts at Hillside,College-in-the-Woods and the Susquehanna Community.
—Remodeling of some of the bathrooms in Rafuse and Digman halls.
—Renovation of the portion of Clearview not used for student housing to accommodate students for fall 2002 semester.
— Installation of additional lighting around campus to enhance safety.