Trinity University

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Russell Guerrero '83
russell.guerrero@trinity.edu
210-999-8444

Jun. 15, 2011

Major Construction Projects Underway on Trinity Campus

Many renovation projects to take place during summer break and conclude by fall semester

While a majority of students are away from campus enjoying the summer, scores of construction workers have moved onto the Trinity campus to begin several renovation projects across the University as well as continue projects already underway. John Greene, director of Campus Planning and Sustainability, said the projects will be taking place during the summer, with many of them completed before the start of the 2011-2012 academic year.

Work is slightly ahead of schedule on the current phase of the Center for Sciences and Innovation, a section connecting to the Cowles Life Science building. The facility will be ready for students by early spring 2012.

The largest project on campus - and also in Trinity's history - is the construction of the Trinity University Center for the Sciences and Innovation (CSI). The $127 million project combines new construction with the renovation of existing buildings to create an integrated 116,000 square-foot complex.

Integration is the key word for the massive project. The fundamental vision behind the Center for the Sciences and Innovation is to foster greater cooperation and collaboration among departments including biology, chemistry, physics, engineering science, and mathematics. The Center will feature glass-walled laboratories and classrooms that will encourage interdisciplinary academic research and learning.

Currently, the multi-phase project is focused on the building of a new wing attached to the Cowles Life Science building which will be the hub of the CSI and will house chemistry and biology laboratories, a computer lab, classrooms, and a lecture hall.

Construction is slightly ahead of schedule and the facility will be ready for occupation early in the spring 2012 semester.

Meanwhile work will begin on the next phase of the project this fall. Plans are to vacate Moody Engineering Science and Cowles Life Science buildings with academic departments relocating to other University properties, including homes on Oakmont Court. Once the first section of the CSI, now under construction, is open, workers will repurpose the existing Cowles Life Science and demolish Moody Engineering Science

Second only to the construction of the CSI on upper campus, is the consolidation of the three central plant facilities which provide heating and cooling needs for all University buildings.

Currently there are three central plants on campus, one on upper campus by the Moody Engineering Building, another on lower campus near the Winn and Witt Residence Halls, and a third by the Bell Athletic Center. The consolidation project will decommission the central plant on upper campus, turn the plant by Winn/Witt into a heating only facility, and turn the Bell Center plant into a cooling facility.

One of eight bore pits being dug to install new pipes for heating and cooling for the University. Though the holes are wide and deep, they actually minimize disruption to the lawn and trees. The bore pits will be finished and refilled by the start of school in the fall.

In order to consolidate the central plants, new pipes are being installed to connect the facilities and provide heating and cooling across campus. Harvey Cleary, a general contractor from Houston and with offices in San Antonio, has undertaken the project. Workers are digging eight-foot deep bore pits at different intervals across upper and lower campus, from the first-year residence halls to the Coates Library, to lower and slide 4 pipes, each 24" in diameter, parallel underground. The process, called horizontal boring, minimizes the disruption to the lawn and trees on campus - a much better alternative to digging wide trenches crisscrossing across campus. All pipes will be in place and the bore pits filled in before the beginning of the fall semester.

The central plants on lower campus are also being enlarged and upgraded. The east plant, by Winn/Witt, will become operational by the fall, and the Bell plant will be ready by the first part of 2012. At that time, the upper campus plant will be deactivated and the facility will be demolished in spring 2012 as part of the next phase of the CSI construction.

The major reason for the central plant consolidation is to add more space for the CSI complex; however, other benefits for the consolidation will include energy and operational savings.

The consolidation will also require an upgrade to the electrical service lines connecting to the campus.

Other summer projects include:

• Resurfacing the exterior entrance to the Coates University Center with permeable pavers to minimize the collection of water during heavy rain.
• Renovating the Varsity Tennis Stadium, south of Storch Memorial Building. The stadium will receive new seating, a shade structure for spectators and a scoreboard. The stadium will be renamed the Al Hill Jr. Stadium.
• Renovating the Delavan Tennis Stadium, adjacent to the Bell Center. The stadium features new lighting, covered seating for the players, and expanded spacing between the courts. The stadium will also receive a new name: The Edward "Butch" Newman Tennis Center.
• Renovating the Verna McLean First-Year Residence Hall to replace bathroom countertops, exterior window walls and install card access to all student doors.
• Renovating the front service area of Mabee Hall.
• Reroofing North and South Residence Halls.

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