Recent construction spending at UD
2009: $18 million purchase of 115 acres of land and the former world headquarters of NCR Corp.
2010: Demolished the Caldwell Street Center and the Mechanical Engineering Building
2010: $3 million renovation and new terraced amphitheater at Central Mall
2011: Broke ground on the $51 million GE Aviation Electrical Power Integrated Systems Research and Development Center
2011: Broke ground on $25 million Caldwell Street Apartments for 400 students
2011: $2.4 million in renovations to Stuart Field and $3.9 million to Virginia W. Kettering Residence Hall dining facilities
Source: 2011 master plan
DAYTON — The University of Dayton’s Science Center, library and other buildings are the target of nearly $30 million in work being done this summer.
The work is part of UD’s investment of approximately $155 million in its campus in recent years. The private Catholic school has doubled its land footprint in the last 10 years.
The university’s investments are helping to bolster the southern section of downtown, said Chris Kershner of the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce.
“It’s a sign of the economy that’s been turning around,” Kershner said.
“Their commitment and investment in the region has been outstanding,” he said.
UD’s largest project this summer will be $8 million to modernize the Science Center. It is the start of a $20 million project for the building that will include updated technology, classrooms and laboratories during the coming years. Starting in May, new windows, air conditioning, ceilings, lighting and a roof screen will be installed, said Beth Keyes, vice president for facilities management.
In late May, $6.1 million will be spent on Roesch Library to “address infrastructure needs” and “dramatically improve” the outer facade by replacing the pebbled concrete panels with brick veneer. Overall, $12 million will be invested in the library.
“We typically always do this much work in the summer,” Keyes said of the average $30 million to $35 million invested annually. “This summer, it’s a little more visual because a lot of it is on the outside.”
The projects will be mostly paid for with university resources. About 90 percent of the university’s revenue comes from tuition.
The renovations are important because the quality of facilities is a major factor for students and parents in choosing a college, Keyes said. UD has set records in the number of applicants for this year’s class and for the upcoming school year as well. There are 11,000 students enrolled at the school.
“We want to make sure that the place looks as good as it can,” she said.
In addition to the $8 million project at the science center and $6.1 million at the library, the university’s other projects include:
• $4.7 million to renovate the fifth floor of the building at 1700 South Patterson Boulevard. The work is happening now.
• $3 million for new bathrooms and renovations to the lobby, student lounges and apartments at Campus South. The work, part of a total $10 million invested there, will begin the day after graduation, Keyes said.
• $2.3 million at the Cronin Athletics Center. Work is under way now to add air conditioning to the basketball practice facility and update the training areas and locker rooms. It’s part of a total $7.1 million invested there through private gifts.
• $1.6 million at the College Park Center. The yellow bricks are currently being individually stained red. Stone elements will be added to the facade and the roofline will be softened.
• $1.5 million has already been spent to construct four green-certified houses on Lowes Street and install a pre-fabricated house on Rogge Street.
• $1 million this summer to replace roofs on the University of Dayton Arena, Albert Emanuel Hall and Alumni Hall.
In addition, the 390 seats in Boll Theatre will be replaced, ongoing renovations are slated for houses in the student neighborhoods, and pavers in need of repair will be replaced, according to UD.
As part of the Science Center work, the large pendulum will be stopped May 7 to replace windows and a stairwell.
The work is being done by local contracting companies Ferguson, Miller-Valentine, Messer, Rixco and Danis.
Rixco, which is working on the Cronin center, hired a superintendent and a UD student for the summer work, said owner Rick Fender. The student is the recipient of a scholarship in the engineering school named after his parents, Fender said.
“UD is very important to my business,” he said.
Messer Vice President Allen Begley said UD is the firm’s second-largest client.
He said Messer is looking to hire four to five more craftsmen for their UD work, which includes the Campus South apartments, among others.
“They’re an important client for us,” he said.
Danis project manager Jason Carter said his company is doing the facade work at the College Park Center . The company has recently worked on two to three projects a year at UD, he said.
UD also is fundraising for several future projects, including a new visual arts center, updates to the chapel and alumni center, and renovations at Chaminade Hall for the school of education, Keyes said.
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