Students at NSU’s main campus have seen a lot of construction recently, but it’s not over yet. Here’s a look at the upcoming construction projects, scheduled for the 2013-2014 academic year.
New athletic facilities
The houses along SW 36th Street were recently demolished to make room for new athletics facilities, including two new softball fields and a new baseball field.
Peter Witschen, vice president of the Office of Facilities Management, said the fields will alleviate scheduling problems between the University School and the NSU baseball and softball teams.
“Our athletics facilities were lacking. These fields will help improve our portfolio,” said Witschen.
The project will be completed in two phases. The first phase will reroute the current SW 36th Street through the demolished housing development and reconnect on the other side and become a university road. The current street will remain a municipal street and be improved with enhanced lighting and a sidewalk.
“We have a lot of joggers on campus. They will no longer be taking their life in their hands when they go out running,” said Witschen.
Construction of the first phase will begin in the spring of 2014 and be completed by January 2015.
Phase two will include the construction of a baseball field for the University School and two softball fields: one for the University School the other for the NSU Sharks. Facilities Management hopes the fields will be completed by January 2014.
Center for Collaborative Research
The Center for Collaborative Research will be built behind the recently opened Health Professions Division parking garage next to the Doctors Hospital Training Facility. The 205,000-square-foot facility will be NSU’s second building dedicated solely to research. A multidisciplinary facility, the Center for Collaborative Research is funded in such a way as to allow both public and private research projects, according to Witschen. The building is planned to be opened by the end of 2014.
Flight Deck expansion
The Flight Deck, located inside the Don Taft University Center, will receive a face lift and expansion this semester. The plans include knocking down the wall behind the bar to expand the interior space and constructing a covered outdoor deck space with seating.
The Flight Deck will close on Sept. 9 and reopen after winter break.
Quad improvements
The library quad, the grass area located between the Don Taft University Center and the Alvin Sherman Library, will undergo improvements during the fall semester.
“We really want to give the students an area where they can relax and sit, or play sports on really nice grass,” Witschen said.
The grass currently on the quad will be replaced by a softer, more picnic-friendly blend.
Parker South Module
Replacement
Parker South Module, the modular building located near the Parker Building, will be demolished and replaced with classrooms. The offices currently located inside the module will move elsewhere. For instance, the office of the Special Olympics of Broward County, currently located in the module, will be moved to the Athletics II Building, which has yet been constructed.
Once the building is empty, design of the new building will begin. According to Witschen, the number and type of classrooms will be determined by enrollment.
There is currently no timeline for construction to begin, but Witschen hopes the module will be removed within the next 24 months.
