Several construction projects kick off around campus

Students may be gone, but campus won’t be quiet this summer. The recent Kentucky General Assembly legislative session yielded the greatest level of funding to the University of Louisville in the university’s history. (Read more in President Kim Schatzel’s April 19, 2024, legislative update.)

A significant portion of that funding includes $69 million over two years in asset preservation funds. To be matched by $17.3 million from UofL, this funding will enable the university to make major, much-needed repairs and upgrades to our facilities. Several asset preservation projects are already underway, thanks to the nearly $82 million the university received over the course of the 2022 and 2023 fiscal years. Some of these projects may cause inconvenience to employees, students and campus visitors. University Operations assures that the project teams for each of these initiatives will do their best to minimize any disruption to routine traffic flow, parking, as well as building access and use.

Building occupants will be notified directly about impacts to parking and specific work areas. Updates will also appear in UofL Today. The following are dates and details for each project. For questions, contact Sajid Mian, assistant vice president for facilities management.

College of Business Roof: Replacement of full roof. Anticipated completion: June 2024.

Ekstrom Library Roof: Replacement of full roof. Anticipated completion: June 2024.

School of Music Comstock Acoustic Cloud: Upgrade of the acoustic cloud in Comstock Hall. Anticipated completion: July 2024.

Thrust Theatre Kiln Roof: Replacement of full roof. Anticipated completion: August 2024.

Ernst Hall Auditorium: Renovation of auditorium, including replacement of the stage, seats, flooring, painting and lights. Renovation of three restrooms. Anticipated completion: August 2024.

Schneider Hall HVAC: Replacing HVAC and electrical systems as well as old and damaged furniture. Anticipated completion: August 2024.

Life Sciences Corridor Refresh: Project will include renovation of Lab 212, update to restrooms on the first and second floors, and a refresh of lobbies and student-facing spaces with painting, flooring and new lighting. Anticipated completion: August 2024.

Speed Tunnel Repair: Replace steam and chilled water piping in the tunnel under Eastern Parkway, including an upgrade to the lighting in the tunnel. This project will also include structural repairs to the tunnel. Anticipated completion: September 2024.

School of Music HVAC: Upgrade HVAC systems, including replacing ductwork, air handling units and the controls system. System needs upgrade to provide the ability to control the humidity to preserve valuable musical instruments in the building. Anticipated completion: September 2024.

Natural Science Building: Project will replace the entire mechanical system, steam and chill pipes, radiators, ductwork, sheet metal, pumps, ceiling throughout, light fixtures, electrical switchgear and roof. Additional work will include replacing all windows, refreshing the main corridors with new floors, paint and signage. Anticipated completion: January 2025.

J.B. Speed Building: Replace HVAC, full electrical, lighting, exhaust fans and ceilings. Ductwork and piping replaced on the first and second floors. Refreshing restrooms on the first, second and third floors along with refreshing the corridors. Anticipated completion: January 2025.

Ekstrom Library Addition: This project is not part of asset preservation allocations. Rather, it is part of one of the university’s capital improvement projects. The addition will provide additional space for students to study and collaborate, office space and increase the archive space to preserve the history of the university and Commonwealth of Kentucky. The expansion will take place on the south side of the building and includes expanding the first, second and basement floors to extend out to the edge of the original footprint of the building. Expanded space will provide about 1,800 square feet to each of the three floors and the opportunity to realign and repurpose spaces. Anticipated completion: July 2025.