UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Each year, immediately following spring commencement ceremonies, Penn State’s Office of Physical Plant (OPP) begins its annual summer construction and renovation projects at the University Park campus.
This year, OPP along with Penn State Transportation Services and project contractors will work to minimize disruptions to the campus community wherever possible. OPP updates an interactive construction map identifying campus construction projects across University Park and the Campus Visitor Map also offers major project construction information.
This summer’s construction and renovation plans are as follows:
Roadways, sidewalks and parking
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Large stretches of the sidewalk on the north (campus) side of College Avenue will be closed for much of the summer, including areas in front of Hammond Building, the Old Main lawn and Redifer Commons for various projects. Pedestrian detour signs will be installed accordingly.
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Porter Road, from East College Avenue to Curtin Road, will undergo mill and overlay work, as well as the removal of the existing concrete crosswalks. Lane restrictions are expected.
- Sidewalks will be replaced along University Drive near Pegula Ice Arena and a new midblock crosswalk installed for pedestrians crossing University Drive, between Curtin Road and Dauer Drive.
- Curtin Road will be closed between Commuter Drive and Porter Road.
- General rehabilitation work will take place at the West Parking Deck, while structural repairs and general rehabilitation work is scheduled for the Eisenhower Parking Deck.
- The pathway near the pond at the Hintz Alumni Garden will see improvements, in addition to pond renovations.
- PennDOT is anticipating work in the vicinity of campus that may impact travel, including Atherton Street and at the intersection of University Drive and East College Avenue.
New construction and major renovations
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Four major construction projects are slated for completion this summer:
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Palmer Museum of Art — Construction phase is complete and the facility will open its doors to the public on June 1.
- Engineering Collaborative Research and Education Building — Slated for substantial completion in summer 2024, with a phased move-in plan for offices, labs, departmental teaching spaces and general purpose classrooms.
- Field Hockey Stadium — Upgrades, including new locker rooms, press boxes and stadium seats, will be completed ahead of the upcoming fall season.
- East Halls (Hastings, Snyder and Stone) — Final phase of the multi-year East Residence Halls renovations is scheduled for completion in summer 2024, with residents moving in for fall 2024 semester.
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- The Nursing Sciences Building has begun its major renovation and the addition of a new classroom and knowledge commons.
- Work continues at the Susan Welch Liberal Arts Building, with an anticipated completion during the fall 2024 semester.
- Osmond Lab renovations will continue, including the construction of a new 48,000-square-foot addition to support the Department of Physics.
Smaller renovations and system renewals
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The third floor of the HUB-Robeson Cultural Center will undergo a year-long renovation to create collaborative spaces, update offices and increase available storage space.
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New flagpoles on the Old Main lawn will be installed.
- Erickson Food Sciences Building will undergo a replacement of its cooler tower and ice builder.
- HVAC upgrades are planned for Pond Lab.
- Roof replacements are in store this summer for Simmons Hall (the largest slate roof on campus), Leonhard Building, Engineering Services Building, Reber Building (including elevator replacements) and Millennium Science Complex (partial replacement).
- Comprehensive masonry work is scheduled to take place at or near numerous facilities this summer, including, Reber Building, Research West, McCoy Natatorium, Redifer Commons, Davey Lab, Chambers Building and Borland Buidling.
- A few sports-related sites will undergo various types of renovation, including concourse flooring, kitchen, and conference space improvements at the Bryce Jordan Center; squash court replacements at Rec Hall; and the conversion of four tennis courts to pickleball courts between McCoy Natatorium and Wagner Building.