A renovated University Center dining area may be the most visible construction project but Facilities Services, University Auxiliaries staff, and private contractors were busy on nearly every corner of campus throughout the summer.
Café 65, the second floor dining area in the University Center, replaces the Overlook. University food service provider Sodexho implemented changes in the appearance, function and food offerings of the centrally located eatery.
The new space’s bright colors, live plants, and general absence of walls are cover for a revamped menu and increased use of locally grown foods and more recycled and reusable materials.
“The entire food service committee worked hard on this project and it can be seen in the result,” said Tamara Moore, executive director, Auxiliary Retail Services.
Susan Szpyrka, senior associate vice chancellor, Administration and Finance, said Café 65 is one of many changes to food services on campus. The next step will be a commercial greenhouse that will eventually provide fresh produce to Café 65 and other retail dining areas on campus.
Café 65 officially opened for business Aug. 20 with the start of classes.
Other Projects
Summit Village Expansion
Progress continues on a $18.2 million, 192-bed expansion of Summit Village, according to Carolyn Fox, university architect, Facilities Services. In late May, contractors arrived to begin site preparation, and utility installation. Construction of the buildings’ foundations is now underway.
“As a result of concrete deliveries, traffic on Regents Circle may be occasionally delayed,” Fox said. “We ask for everyone’s patience as the project continues.”
Plans call for construction to continue through summer 2013 with the newest halls in Summit Village, Echo and Copper, ready for students for the fall 2013 semester.
Lane Center for Academic Health Sciences
Since a June 21 groundbreaking ceremony, work on the $18.5 million Lane Center has been less visible. Behind-the-scenes work that has taken place includes moving utility lines, design of a new N. Nevada intersection and design of the first UCCS building on North Nevada, Reynolds said. The Lane Center will be home to several existing UCCS departments and, potentially, provide space for a branch campus of the CU School of Medicine. An Aug. 28 public vote to lease Memorial Hospital to University of Colorado Health will decide the fate of the branch campus.
The Lane Center is scheduled for completion in early 2014.
Parking
With the loss of part of parking lot 12 to the Lane Center, a new 457 space lot was constructed north of Four Diamonds. The lot features a one-quarter mile walking path connecting it to a campus shuttle bus that will bring students, faculty and staff to the main campus. The new lot is complete and ready for use.
Centennial Hall
Both ends of Centennial Hall received improvements this summer to correct drainage issues. On the west side near the University Center, new retaining walls replaced an earth hill and overgrown shrubs to clean up the area and direct stormwater away from the lower entrance of the building. On the east side of Centennial, new retaining walls were installed to control stormwater flow while at the same time a seating area was created to compliment the landscaping and seating at the rear of the building.
Utilities
While Gary Reynolds, executive director, Facilities Services, is quick to admit that a project to remove high-power lines from the west side of the campus may be less exciting than a new building, the work is important. UCCS shared the costs with Colorado Springs Utilities to install new, underground wiring while taking down the towers. The change will be both aesthetically pleasing and allow better utilization of the university’s land.
— Photos by Philip Denman
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