Construction projects moving forward on campus
During each USI Board of Trustees meeting, Jim Wolfe, Director of Facility Operations and Planning, provides an update to Trustees and those in attendance on work across campus. Ahead of the March 2 meeting, Wolfe provided some detailed information on current projects.
Health Professions Center
As the Health Professions Center will say goodbye to students for summer break, it will start to be prepped for major updates ahead of the 2023 Fall Semester. Most of this construction will occur on the lower level and part of the first floor, says Wolfe.
Mitchell Auditorium, a multi-tiered lecture hall, will be transformed into a one-floor auditorium at the same level as the first floor of the Health Professions Center. Alongside this change, Wolfe says there are plans to include a radiology suite on the first-floor area, which will be equipped with several new machines including an MRI simulator, CT scanner and more.
Students, faculty and staff can also expect a new Dental Clinic area. “The Dental Clinic is going to get new equipment and new seating. We’re making the materials lab larger and will also be adding a dental assisting lab,” says Wolfe.
Moving to the lower level, he says there are plans for a simulation center with four sim rooms. Construction will also include a storage area, classroom, student lounge, anatomy lab, new diet and nutrition lab and nursing stations.
Bidding for the project is expected to be completed by mid-March with construction starting in early May.
Recreation, Fitness and Wellness Center
It’s hard to miss the progress that’s been occurring at the Recreation, Fitness and Wellness Center as crews have continued work. Currently, Wolfe says things are on schedule and moving as expected.
“We are currently in the process of ordering the needed furniture for the completed building,” he adds.
Though there was a small delay in the beginning of the project while crews were waiting for materials to be delivered, Wolfe states the extra buffer of time built into the project’s timeline is helping to keep things where they would like them to be.
“Currently, we are expecting completion in January 2024,” he says.
Signage on campus
One of the biggest and most anticipated projects across campus is updating exterior wayfinding signage for buildings. Wolfe reports crews will be walking campus on Monday, February 20 to finalize locations of sign placement. The new signs are currently in production and the majority of installations are expected to occur during Spring Break.
Looking ahead
As the above projects get started or continue moving forward, Wolfe says there are others the University is looking at addressing as funds and schedules allow.
“We are following the University’s Master Plan when it comes to construction projects,” he says. This means Wolfe and his department’s projects look to focus on needed renovations of existing buildings, since there are currently no new building projects scheduled.
Current budget discussions center on submitting requests for funding needed to begin projects in the Wright Administration Building, the oldest building on campus, and funding to complete other renovations on the Health Professions Center. There is also a request for approval for the University to obtain funding to construct a new residence hall on campus.