The Traveler

Issue date: 12/8/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Meghan Walton Construction workers replace part of the sidewalk near Gibson Hall. Various other construction projects are planned to completed in 2009 and 2010.

This fall, many students wondered what all the noise around Gibson Hall was for, as construction workers drilled into the nearby sidewalk. The project isn't finished, but the drilling has stopped, and students now can walk by Gibson Hall without having to plug their ears.

The noise was because of an addition to the Fine Arts Building, a renovation which requires relocating a portion of the existing 2004 Senior Walk to McIlroy Avenue, said Jay Hunneycutt, a UA campus planner.

The addition is one of many projects UA officials have planned over the next two years.

For the spring 2009 semester, there are two major projects will take place on the UA campus, including the construction of the Garland Avenue Parking Garage, which will be a 1,500 foot space that houses a book store and other shops. This project is scheduled for completion by summer 2010.

Some students questioned the usefulness of the Garland Avenue Parking Garage.

"Why would you have a parking garage where you have to walk a long way [to get to campus]?" said Jennifer Massie, a history major.

Massie said she didn't think adding the parking garage would improve the parking situation at the UA because the garage would probably always be full like the other two.

"More people are going to drive over there," she said.

The other project that will be focused on next semester is the Nanoscale Science and Engineering Building, which is scheduled to be finished in 2011, Huneycutt said.

The Phi Delta Theta house also will be fully renovated in 2009.

"It will be a great project for the fraternity," Huneycutt said.

In addition, a second building for the Arkansas Research and Technology Park will start construction soon. It will be just north of the Innovation Center, Huneycutt said.

More future projects include the Child Developmental Research Center and the KUAF National Public Radio building, both scheduled for 2010, according to the UA Planning Web site.

No major renovations will take place over the winter break. There are some minor projects, which will be completed by the time school starts in January, Huneycutt said.

In 2008, the campus planning department completed or will complete all of the projects that were planned for this year.

"So far my experience here with the university has been a pleasant one, and I don't see much need for improvement," said Amy Patterson, a public relations major.

The Duncan Avenue Apartments have been open since August. Phase two of the Maple Hill residence hall was open for the fall, as well. The Memorial Hall Loggia Restoration was completed July 1, Huneycutt said.

"The Alpha Omicron Pi sorority house is scheduled to be completed in the next few weeks and occupied by the time school starts in January," Huneycutt said.

Also, the Northwest Quad dining addition will be completed this month, he said.

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