The hot, dry weather may be keeping most of us from being very productive when it comes to outside activities, but don’t count James Guyton’s construction team among that group.

Guyton, the project manager for the new Academic Building, says the project is 85 percent finished, and he expects the building to be completed by the target date of Nov. 9.

“Right now we’re working on interior finishes – painting, carpet, those types of things,” Guyton says.

The 95,000-square-foot Academic Building is located on the northwest corner of the Campus Green on University Boulevard at 14th Street. The building – which has inviting curved glass features at the entries and an outdoor patio space facing the Campus Green – is the first academic building to be built on that part of campus in approximately 30 years, says Jim James, executive director of Facilities Planning.

“It’s one of our anchor buildings on our Campus Green along with the Rec Center and our dining and dorm facilities,” says Guyton, project manager for many campus and hospital activities. “It really is a nice presentation when you come into the heart of campus.”

The Academic Building will house three large lecture rooms capable of hosting 120-200 students. A 200-station computer mathematics laboratory also is located within the building, as are faculty offices.
One of the major tasks remaining is the installation of the audio-visual equipment, which will be installed before tenants move into the building in December.

“The plan is to move the occupants into the building in December and have a training session with the audio-visual equipment right after that,” Guyton says. “Classes should start meeting in the building in January.”

Campus Green
As construction on the Academic Building nears completion, work on the Campus Green is about to resume.

“There will be a lot of activity starting within the next several weeks,” says Susan Zumbado, project manager for the Campus Green.  “The contractor will be moving on site immediately.”

Many smaller projects were undertaken on the Green this summer. Alabama Power removed overhead power lines, traffic control boxes were relocated and pavement was removed.

Grading and drainage is part of the first phase of construction this fall. The brick sidewalks, retaining walls at grade changes and the planned stage area are expected to be complete in April.

“The Campus Green will provide programmable, exterior space,” Zumbado says. “It will be available for outdoor events, much like the Mini Park north of the Education Building.”

The UAB 2000 Master Plan indicates the Green will comprise the blocks bordered by University Boulevard to the north, 16th Street to the east, 14th Street to the West and 10th Avenue to the south. The Campus Green will be divided into north and south greens. When complete, the North Green is expected to be 340 feet long and 240 feet wide and will include the stage.

The South Green will have a 320-foot square of green space and major sidewalks with pedestrian lighting, decorative architectural landscape elements and trees. There also will be a formal garden and corner plazas with planters.

Phase II of the project will add an entryway, fountain and a vertical feature. “These items are proposed but have not yet been designed or funded,” Zumbado says.

Tennis, anyone?
Four new tennis courts will be constructed at the site of the 11th Avenue South Park next to Rast Hall and should be ready by the spring semester, says Andy Marsch, assistant vice president for Student Life. The courts will be lighted, locked and accessed via the UAB student ID using a swipe system.
As a result of the construction, beginning Sept. 7 Student Life no longer will be scheduling events at the 11th Avenue South Park. Bill Camp is the project manager.