By
Blake Smith
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Students roaming around campus will hear beeping bulldozers and the roar of massive cranes.
The construction is expected to change the campus' physical and academic look within the next two years.
The UA - which has not seen a major construction project for nearly a decade - can be proud of current construction because it is "a symbol of vitality," University of Arizona President Peter Likins said.
"A year ago, the amount of construction on campus was new to everybody," Likins said.
While every student will be affected by construction one way or another, Likins said returning students will probably have to make more adjustments than freshmen.
"It is more disruptive to people with established paths (around campus) than new freshmen," he added.
Besides the Tyndall Avenue Garage and the Pima Hall expansion, the UA is currently working to complete four major projects:
Integrated Learning Center
University officials have repeatedly expressed concerns about poor retention rates during the last few years.
Nearly half of all freshmen do not return to the UA for a second year, and officials hope this trend will end with the establishment of the Integrated Learning Center.
The $26 million building will house four classrooms equipped with state-of-the-art technology, four multimedia lecture halls and six discussion classrooms. It is expected to be a place for freshmen to gather.
The new 85,000-square-foot facility will be completely underground.
UA Facilities Design and Construction expects the Mall area over the building to be replaced by late spring or early summer with expanded recreation spaces.
When the building is opened in the fall of 2001, it will serve nearly 4,500 students.
Memorial Student Union
When the Memorial Student Union was built in 1951, the facility was designed to accommodate 15,000 people. Today, more than 74,000 people pass through the doors of the building each day.
Besides exceeding capacity, the union has other problems- the union is aging differently because it was built in separate phases. Leaks, rotting pipes and asbestos are also causing trouble.
UA officials estimate that solving structural problems to the union would set the university back $14 million.
But the capacity problem would not be solved by just renovating.
Therefore, the UA proceeded with plans for the new union - estimated to cost $59 million.
The new structure is being constructed on the existing student union site and is expected to add nearly 100,000 square feet.
Gilbert Davidson, assistant project manager for the new student union and bookstore, estimates that the first phase of construction should be completed by February or March. However, the bookstore portion could be finished as early as December.
An improved Cellar and Sam's Place are also part of the master construction plans.
Unlike the current union, the new facility will feature a functioning clock tower.
To help pay for the new union, the university is drawing funds from the bookstore and union revenue, UA Intercollegiate Athletics, students, taxpayers and their contract with PepsiCo. Inc.
The final phase of union construction will be finished when the first phase is completed, and the entire union should be operational by 2002.
Strategic Alternative Learning Techniques
Nearly 4 percent of UA students suffer from a learning disability.
A new building for Strategic Alternative Learning Techniques, which gives tutoring and support services to students with learning disabilities, will open in mid-2001.
The 15,000-square-foot facility is expected to be located in an existing metered parking lot at Second Street and Highland Avenue.
Bids have been organized for the project and a budget increase has been approved. Construction will begin soon.
Eddie Lynch Pavilion
In June, construction crews began tearing up the largest area left on the UA Mall.
The new three-story Eddie Lynch Pavilion - dedicated to remembering past UA sports legends - is expected to be completed next summer.
The facility, which will be an addition to the McKale Center, will feature a new weight room and medical facilities for student athletes in the basement level.
A Hall of Champions will adorn the main level of the addition.
Demolition of the north side and basement excavation are currently underway.
The current McKale Center weight room will become the new women's locker room.
