Construction Watch

•   Health Sciences Library renovation
•   Rams Head Center
•   Look to the web for 'Construction Watch'

Health Sciences Library renovation

* Project location: S. Columbia Street across from Rosenau Hall.

* Projected cost/funding source(s): $11.45 million/total — $10.45 million/state bond; $1 million/private.

* Scope/benefits of project: Demolition and new construction on all six floors. The building exterior will be modified on the ground level to accommodate a new entrance and pergola. Additional glazing/windows will be added to the exterior elevations. The project will expand technology-enhanced user space and bring the building up to current code and ADA standards, as well as create a state-of-the-art library. New features will include network access from any seat in the building, new computer classroom facilities, an advanced technology center and “collaboratories,” expanded housing of print collections, and enhanced facilities for study of the history of the health sciences. There also will be a “cyber commons” with drink/snack service. The floor plans of the existing interior will be reconfigured to respond to major trends in library usage. Renovation includes relocating user spaces, staff work spaces and materials storage spaces within the existing structure.

* Projected construction timeline: Late September 2002 - Spring 2004.

* Swing space: Library employees and services will remain in the building during the renovation but public (or user) space will be reduced to the fourth floor. This floor contains computing and study areas, photocopy machines and the library’s collection 1992 to present. Literature dated prior to 1992 is held off site but is available and can be retrieved upon request. Patrons are encouraged to use electronic services and resources, including Ask A Librarian to e-mail reference questions, Live Online Help for search assistance, and UNCLE electronic journals and databases. See www.hsl.unc.edu/ for these services and other information.

Impact on campus aesthetics
* Trees/green space/landscaping: Some trees and shrubbery will be removed during construction. New trees will be added in front of the building. Any shrubbery removed during construction will be replaced. During construction the green space located south of the building will be used for construction staging and will be restored to green space after construction.

* Architecture: Any changes will complement the existing building architectural style.

Impact on parking and transit, traffic and pedestrian safety
* Parking and transit: Existing bus stop will be moved south during construction and temporary bus shelter will be erected at this location. After construction, a new bus stop will be located slightly north of the existing crosswalk on South Columbia Street. A shelter and bench will be under the northwest corner/overhang of the renovated Health Sciences Library building.

* Traffic: Off-loading of construction materials will occur before 8 a.m. and after 5 p.m. for the most part. If off-loading occurs during day, personnel will direct traffic.

* Pedestrian safety: Signage will direct pedestrians to library and McNider Hall entrances to avoid fences. A temporary ramp at the northwest corner of the site will provide ADA accessibility to the library.

For more information and updates
* See Facilities Capital Improvements Program web site at: www.fac.unc.edu/CIP/Projects.asp?Project=17

* Contact design manager Charlotte Abbate at: Cabbate@fac.unc.edu

Rams Head Center

Overview
* Project location: Rams Head Parking Lot, between Kenan Field House and Ridge Road.

* Projected cost/funding source(s): $64.85 million/total — $3 million/departmental; $7.5 million/state bond; $51.85/self-liquidating; $2.5 million/private.

Scope/benefits of project: Planned for completion over three phases, the project will feature a 700-space parking deck topped by a landscaped pedestrian mall linking north and south campus, the potential for a grocery store and campus recreation building and student dining facilities, as well as improvements to Ehringhaus Field.

* Projected construction timeline: July 29, 2002 - January 2005.

Impact on campus aesthetics
* Trees/green space/landscaping: Removal of trees between Kenan Field House and the Rams Head Parking Lot as well as between the Alumni Center and Kenan Stadium. Extensive re-planting and landscaping will take place following completion of the project.

Impact on parking and transit, traffic and pedestrian safety
* Parking and transit: Rams Head Parking Lot will close following the 2002-03 football season. Rams Head Center Parking Deck to open September 2004.

* Traffic: Sections of Ridge Road and Stadium Drive will temporarily be one lane during utility work.

* Pedestrian safety: The Rams Head Parking Lot will be fenced in during construction. Existing pedestrian pathway will remain open.

For more information and updates
* See Facilities Capital Improvements Program web site at: www.fpc.unc.edu/CIP/Projects.asp?Project=30

* Contact design manager Masaya Konishi at: mkonishi@fac.unc.edu

Look to the web for 'Construction Watch'

A new web site aims to make it easier for people to learn the latest about campus construction.

Dubbed “Construction Watch,” the Facilities Planning and Construction site features links to information about Carolina’s overall building program, individual construction projects and how construction will affect walkways, transit and parking. Its content reflects input from employees and students.

The site — which can be linked to off of Carolina’s home page (www.unc.edu) — is at constructionwatch.unc.edu The site resulted from a collaborative effort between University Relations and Facilities Planning and Construction. Alana Andrews did the design work, and technical help came from Toby Considine, manager of technology services for Facilities Services, who developed ways to pull real-time information from the construction database. Karen Geer in Facilities Services also contributed her touches and continues to add key information as it becomes available. According to Nancy Davis, associate vice chancellor for University Relations, the site was created to give people one place to get useful information.

“There was already a lot of great information about construction on the web,” Davis said. “But this new site makes that information easier to find.”

Designers of the site welcome feedback on how it could be improved, and suggestions can be sent to Scott Jared, web content manager, at sjared@email.unc.edu

University Relations is also working with Facilities Services to erect signs at construction sites with information about individual projects.

University Gazette