As summer approaches, the University continues to work on ongoing construction and plan for future projects.

Currently, the University is invested in projects around Bryce Lawn, where several older buildings have been stabilized and are at various stages of construction.

“We’ve got a lot of exciting stuff going around on campus, especially with the buildings on the Bryce campus,” said Megan Whitten, communications director for Campus Development at the University. “We’re just really excited with what we’re bringing to campus in the next year.”

To stabilize a building means to secure it so it does not deteriorate any further. Many buildings have been stabilized and are currently in the design stage of construction, where budgets and plans are discussed and finalized.

Whitten said this is why construction may begin on some buildings but have no further development for months at a time, as the design process can take several months to a year to be completed.

Other reasons for delay include budget planning and changes in design. While the Bryce Main building was stabilized a few years ago, the design plans came in over budget. As a result, construction has halted until further funding can be found or plans are changed.

Another main undertaking by the University is the Capstone parking deck, located next to the baseball field and Million Dollar Band practice field.

Tom Love, assistant vice president of Campus Development, said that while the project has been affected by heavy rains, it should recover fine.

“They’re out of the ground working on the elevated concrete portion, and that hasn’t been as impacted by the weather as if they were still working on the ground work,” Love said. “We’re feeling pretty good about that project.”

Heavy rains throughout February and March led to delays with other projects and areas of campus as well, including flooding in some areas.

“We found there was an issue around the Quad where one of the storm drains had a problem so we’ve gone in and repaired that,” Love said. “There’s a low end near the south end of the stadium at Tutwiler, which is prone to flooding because the storm drain isn’t large enough to keep the water flowing, but there’s a project that we’re talking about trying to do to help alleviate that and hopefully get some direction and approval from the board to make that happen. That’s kind of being done in coordination with the new Tutwiler dorm that’s going to get started as well.”

Love said the Tutwiler project will hopefully begin at the end of 2019, and once a new building is up and operational, the existing dorm will be demolished. Other dorms under construction include Paty Hall, which is currently undergoing interior renovations and is scheduled to be open again in August.

Despite having so many projects in progress, the University continues to discuss future plans, including design for the Bryant-Denny Stadium project and renovations to the Biology building.