Campus Hums with New Construction
Students returning to Duke are finding a campus busy with construction projects ranging in size from the massive West-Edens Link residence hall complex to the renovation of the Oak Room in the West Union building.
Some projects, like the medical center's $41 million Center for Models of Human Disease, recently got underway; others, like the $2.5 million Richard White Lecture Hall on East Campus, have just been completed and are ready for the fall semester.
The Facilities Management Department also is completing a number of smaller projects that took advantage of the summer break, including the replacement of air handling units in the Few Quad, interior upgrades to the Bryan Center and a classroom renovation in the Law School.
In addition, there are several major projects on the drawing board that are expected to be started soon, including the Pratt School of Engineering's planned Center for Interdisciplinary Engineering and Applied Science, expected to cost more than $75 million; an $18 million Divinity School addition; the $20 million Nasher Museum of Art; and a $12.5 million expansion and renovation for radiation oncology facilities in the Morris Building, part of Duke Clinic.
Here's an update on Duke's major construction projects:
‚ West-Edens Link - The concrete and steel skeleton of this $37.5 million dormitory compound is nearly complete in the strategic location between the Gothic residence halls of West Campus and the more modern Edens Quadrangle to the south. The project is the centerpiece of a $75 million endeavor to increase and enhance student housing on West Campus. The WEL is on schedule to be completed next summer.
‚ Richard White Lecture Hall - The two-story building, located between East Duke Building and Aycock residence hall, got its finishing touches this week. Named for the former dean of Trinity College, the lecture hall has state-of-the-art electronic teaching equipment and raked seating and a stage to accommodate student performances, concerts and films.
‚ The Center for Models of Human Disease - Located next to the Vivarium on Research Drive, the four-story building will be part of the new interdisciplinary Institute for Genome Sciences and Policy. The building, with first floor concrete now being poured, is to be completed in March 2003. It will house thousands of mice and associated laboratories to allow researchers to use the animals to study complex human diseases such as hypertension, heart failure and behavioral disorders.
‚ Center for Human Genetics - Another component of the genomics institute, this $35 million, four-story building is farther along than its companion building and its steel framework is rising on the corner bounded by LaSalle and Erwin roads. The focus of the research in this building will be to explore a variety of disorders with genetic components such as the muscular dystrophies, Alzheimer's, cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis, asthma, prostate disease and Parkinson's disease. It is scheduled to be completed next August.
‚ Football Building - This is an $18 million building overlooking Wallace Wade Stadium. A towering crane overlooks the site and much of its steel and concrete structure is already in place. It is expected to be completed late next spring and will house coaches' offices, meeting rooms, locker rooms, a players' lounge, weight room and other training facilities.
‚ Doris Duke Center - Expected to be completed next month, this visitor's center at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens will serve as the focal point of the revamped facilities for the 55-acre tourist and educational attraction. The wood framed, $7 million structure will house offices, classrooms and a gift shop.
‚ Biological Sciences - Renovation of the third floor of the 30-year-old building is scheduled to be completed next month. The $3.5 million project is creating three laboratories, providing a rooftop mechanical penthouse and laying the groundwork for future renovation to meet the needs of a growing biology department.
‚ West Circuit Drive parking lot - This 323-space lot, completed this week at a cost of $851,700, is a key component of the university's efforts to make parking more accessible to students and employees.
‚ Cameron Indoor Stadium - An exterior stair tower is being built on the southeast side as part of a $3.5 million project to air condition the venerable basketball arena. The addition will provide an additional exist for Cameron, make room for a women's restroom on the concourse level and provide a mechanical room for air conditioning equipment. Completion is scheduled for March.
‚ Outdoor Tennis Stadium - The outdoor tennis bleachers have been torn down and are being replaced by a concrete structure with a Duke stone facade and an entrance plaza facing Towerview Road. The $1.6 million, 705-seat project, which will include lights and a scoreboard, is to be completed in February.