Campus Connection

Construction projects through 2020 generate near $1 billion economic impact for region

About $296 million in new building projects are complete or in progress on the UWL campus since Joe Gow became the university’s chancellor in early 2007. Another $126 million in projects are on the horizon through the year 2020. These projects, dating back to construction of the Veterans Memorial Field Sports Complex, have employed architects, engineers and construction workers. They've led to the purchasing of building materials and furnishings. All of this adds up to an overall economic impact of $928 million to the region, using the industry standard 2.2 multiplier, notes Bob Hetzel, UWL vice chancellor for administration and finance. “We haven’t had such a building boom at UWL since the 1960s,” he says. The new student union, at the heart of campus, is the most obvious new addition. Contractors are scheduled to hand over the keys at the end of September and doors will open at the start of spring semester 2017. Crews are just beginning to dig at the site of the New Science Labs Building in the parking lot north of Cowley Hall. The facility is a welcome addition as Cowley Hall, the current science building constructed in the early 1960s, is severely deteriorating and is not large enough to accommodate the growth of UWL’s science programs. A renovation of the entrance to Center for the Arts is also underway with contractors recently removing the old retaining wall. A new facility entrance will improve safety and accessibility to the Center. Other projects in planning stages will continue to reshape the campus map. The State Building Commission recently approved moving a soccer field east of Roger Harring Stadium to make way for a new student fieldhouse. That facility still requires approval from the State Building Commission and legislature to be included in the 2017-19 budget cycle. The more than 100,000 gross-square-foot building would allow UWL to keep pace with the continued growth in the athletic and recreational programs on campus, as well as growth in the Exercise and Sport Science Department. Details on the many projects nearing completion and just beginning:

Nearly complete

[caption id="attachment_46546" align="alignright" width="307"] A view of the southeast side of the building, which faces the Veterans Memorial Field Sports Complex.[/caption] New student center Description: A new facility for student socialization, recreation, studying and more. It will replace the current student center, Cartwright Center, built in 1958 with additions in 1964 and 1985. Start: 2014 Complete: December 2016 Cost: $55 million, funded through student fees Size: 204,787 gross square feet Where: Corner of East Avenue and Farwell Street Parking lot improvements Start: March 2016 Complete: August 2016 Cost: $2.5 million, funded through parking fees Where: Lots C1, C8, C9, R1 and R2 West Campus Chiller plant Description: Augments the capacity of the existing campus chilled water system. Start: 2015 Complete: 2016 Cost: $8.4 million, funded through state tax dollars and program revenue Size: 7,061 gross square feet Where: R-1 parking lot, between the Health Sciences Center and Angell Hall   [caption id="attachment_46548" align="alignright" width="350"] Crews started working on the switchgear project in 2015.[/caption] Switchgear project Description: An upgrade of the electrical service for all of the buildings on the UWL campus. The university was relying on an outdated electrical system from 1968 and will now have a more reliable and code compliant service with full redundancy. Start: 2015 Complete: 2016 Cost: $4.6 million, funded through state tax dollars and program revenue Where: Between Cartwright Center and Mitchell Hall

In progress

[caption id="attachment_46552" align="alignright" width="350"] A view of the new Science Labs Building from the northwest.[/caption] Cowley Science Labs Building – Phase I Description: A new science facility will address a lack of space and severely deteriorating infrastructure in Cowley Hall, the existing physical and life sciences facility. Start: 2016 Complete: 2018 Cost: $82 million, funded through state tax dollars Size: 193,000 gross square feet Where: Parking lot north of the existing Cowley Hall, commuter lot 3   [caption id="attachment_46550" align="alignright" width="247"] An old retaining wall was removed from the Center for the Arts building. Renovation of the entrance is underway.[/caption] Center for the Arts, entrance renovation/addition Description: Replace an old retailing wall and staircase while adding an American Disabilities Act compliant elevator at the entrance. Start: 2016 Complete: 2017 Cost: $1.6 million, funded through state tax dollars Size: 2,500 gross square feet Storage building Description: Creates additional heated secure general storage space, along with space for campus mail and materials delivery, processing and distribution. Start: Spring 2016 Complete: Summer 2017 Cost: $2.7 million, funded through program revenue Size: 12,000 gross square feet Where: North campus

Soon to start

[caption id="attachment_46554" align="alignright" width="350"] A soccer field is being moved to make way for a new fieldhouse east of Roger Harring Stadium.[/caption] Student fieldhouse Description: Creates a facility with an NCAA competition indoor track with all sport surface infield and space for a minimum of 1,500 spectators. The second level will have a walking/jogging track. It will also include tennis courts, locker rooms, team meeting rooms, a soccer field support building and more. Start: 2016 Complete: 2020 Cost: $35 million, funded through program revenue and student fees Size: 104,000 gross square feet Where: Existing soccer field east of Roger Harring Stadium, northeast of Mitchell Hall Wittich Hall renovation Description: Complete renovation of the historic Wittich Hall. Demolition of the interior of the building will expose the structure, and the facility will be reconstructed to accommodate the College of Business Administration, including the Small Business Development Center. Start: 2016 Complete: 2020 Cost: $25 million, funded through university program revenue; no state tax money will be used Size: 53,770 gross square feet Recreational Eagle Center addition Description: The first floor of the two-story addition will include enlarged strength training space, large multipurpose recreation rooms and related support spaces such as locker rooms and rest rooms. The second floor will include a larger, multi-use space to allow for activities such as fitness classes. Start: 2016 Complete: 2018 Cost: $8.6 million, funded through student fees; no state tax money will be used Size: 39,000 gross square feet Where: Southwest corner of the facility  

On the horizon:

*These projects still require State Building Commission and legislature approval for inclusion in the 2017-19 budget. Cowley Science Labs Building – Phase II Timeline: TBD Cost: $54 million Size: 120,000 gross square feet, funded through state tax dollars Where: Phase II of the project calls for demolishing the existing Cowley Hall and constructing this phase of the project in that space. New Residence Hall Description: Four-story, 300 plus bed, semi-suite style residence hall Timeline: TBD Cost: $37 million, funded through university program revenue; no state tax money will be used Size: 111,200 gross square feet Where: Northwest corner of campus, adjacent to two existing residence halls (Coate and Eagle).