Campus was quiet after students left for the summer, yet the sounds of drilling continued as UF’s major construction projects moved along.
The Reitz Union is in the construction and renovation phase of its $75 million redesign. Cydney McGlothlin, UF Planning, Design & Construction project manager, said steel was put up and concrete work was completed.
The Reitz Union Rion Ballroom is being rebuilt and will be a floor higher. It will be finished this Fall along with the basement, which will hold the dance studios, a computer lab and an emergency hurricane shelter.
“It’s going really well,” McGlothlin said. “We can see a big difference.”
The construction of Cypress Hall, a future residence hall on the corner of Southwest 13th Street and Museum Road, is progressing well, said Sharon Blansett, assistant to the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs.
“Substantial completion of construction is on track to be April 2015,” Blansett said in an email. “This will allow staff time to prepare the facility for opening Fall 2015.”
Heavener Hall, an undergraduate building for the Warrington College of Business Administration, is also nearly finished, McGlothlin said.
However, all the construction is causing some complaints.
Reitz Union Hotel guest services coordinator Lorna Bouret said guests have complained about the noise.
Bouret has seen the campus change since graduating in 2008, and she said she’s excited for the additions.
“Time goes by so quickly,” Bouret said, “and it’s needed. It takes time to make updates.”
Construction on Reitz Union is expected to be finished in 2016. McGlothlin said she is looking forward to having one location for all students to get involved in activities.
“I’m thrilled,” she said. “It will be well used when it’s open.”
[A version of this story ran on page 3 on 8/26/2014 under the headline "Construction continues around campus"]
