Summer Construction Gets Underway Across Campus

Earlier this spring, the Grounds staff created a two-tier waterfall between the Harry Jack Gray Center and The Hartt School. Photo by John Kniering.

The A- and B-Complex courtyards are being renovated this summer, with new underground water mains as well as new sidewalks and landscaping.

The A through D residential complexes are getting new front entrances like the one pictured above, with glass doors surrounded by windows.

More welcoming entrances to the residential complexes, renovations to the 1877 Club, and a facelift for the Konover Great Room are among the many construction projects scheduled to take place throughout campus this summer.

Following are some of the major construction and renovation projects taking place in the spring/summer:


Scenic Waterfall:
The latest round of construction projects actually began in April, with the construction of a two-tier waterfall between the east wing of the Harry Jack Gray Center and The Hartt School.

The waterfall was the idea of the Grounds staff in the Facilities Department, said Norm Young, associate vice president for facilities planning and management. There were a number of maintenance issues on the sloping area where the waterfall was created, including drainage problems, difficulty growing plants there, and trash accumulation, Young said. The Grounds crew wanted to create a permanent solution that would also add a distinctive feature to the campus.

“They wanted to take an area that was a problem, and turn it into a real benefit for the institution,” Young said.


A- and B-Complex Courtyards:
Renovations to the A- and B-Complex courtyards will include replacement of underground water mains that are more than 40 years old, as well as new sidewalks and attractive new landscaping. In addition, a new stairway is being constructed from B-Complex to the University Commons. The courtyards of the other complexes (the brick residence halls) were renovated in previous years.


Facelifts for A, B, C, and D-Complexes:
The A through D residential complexes will be getting facelifts, including new front entrances featuring glass doors surrounded by windows. The lobbies of each of the residence halls in the four complexes will be getting new paint, lighting upgrades, floor tile repairs, and other renovations, creating inviting new entrances.


1877 Club:
The 1877 Club kitchen will be modernized with new appliances and other upgrades, and the service elevator will be replaced.


Konover Campus Center:
The Konover Great Room will be renovated, including new paint, lighting, flooring, and a new entrance door. In addition, the Konover roof will be replaced.


Hartford Art School:
Space in Taub Hall (Hartford Art School) will be renovated to accommodate the Art History Department, which will be moving from Hillyer Hall to the art school.


Other construction projects scheduled for this summer include the following:

- The roof of Hillyer Hall will be replaced.

- Road repairs will be performed near B-Lot and the Sports Center.

- The bathrooms on the first and third floors of Hillyer Hall will be renovated.

- Annual repairs, painting, carpet cleaning, and other summer touch-ups will take place in the residence halls. In addition, furniture will be replaced in D-Complex.