Construction on Dundon-Berchtold Hall will begin on Monday, February 5, according to Jim Ravelli, university operations. This will be the first construction of a new building in the middle of campus since Franz Hall was built in 1995 and, as with any major building project in such a central location, there will be some impacts that can be minimized, but not entirely avoided. Beginning Monday, employees will begin to see an increase in activity on and around the site as contractors begin to mobilize. The main concern is the safety of everyone on campus, so please stay alert to contractor vehicles and trucks as they come and go, and be aware of these additional impacts the project will make:
Expanded fencing: One of the first activities will be the expansion of fencing around the site. Fencing will be expanded outward to include half the main road across from the Pilot House and towards Waldschmidt Hall. This will eliminate the sidewalk that extends from Shipstad to the roadway by Romanaggi Hall. The sidewalk next to Waldschmidt that runs in front of Christie will remain open for pedestrians. There will also be temporary walkways on the Shipstad side of the sequoias from Christie to the main drive.
Parking impact: Unfortunately, there is no way to avoid the loss of several parking spots as the fencing expands into the roadway along the main entrance drive. This will affect all of the parking along the construction side of the main drive from the turnaround by the Pilot House to Waldschmidt. Parking on the side of the drive adjacent to Buckley and Romanaggi will remain available.
Traffic access: Because the fence will extend into the street, the road will be limited to a one-way only lane between the turnaround by the Pilot House and the Waldschmidt parking lot. Traffic from the Waldschmidt lot area will be required to leave campus via the Kenna Hall exit. As construction begins, a flagger will be on site to assist drivers who are headed past the Pilot House towards Waldschmidt Hall.
“Thank you for your patience as we start on this major construction,” says Ravelli. “I know it will require some adjustment for everyone, but the end reward of a new academic hall will be worth the temporary impact. Please plan on seeing regular construction updates from me as the project progresses.”
For more information contact Ravelli at 7540 or go to www.up.edu/uo.