More than 300 construction, maintenance, and renovation projects with an estimated cost in excess of $10 million are set to take place this summer at Virginia Tech’s Blacksburg, Virginia, campus. Projects will also be taking place at the Eastern Shore and Tidewater Agricultural Research and Extension centers.

The result will be an enhanced teaching, learning, living, and research environment for faculty and students when they return — or arrive — for the fall semester.

Some of the major projects this summer include:

Classroom Building

The three-story, 73,400-square-foot building, is set to open for the fall semester. It will contain 15 new classrooms and four teaching laboratories with seats for more than 1,450 students, as well as study rooms and group meeting space. The $42 million project is being constructed in the North Academic Precinct at the corner of Perry Street and West Campus Drive, and will be one of the first sights to greet visitors who enter campus on West Campus Drive. Read the Virginia Tech news article.

Derring Hall

The existing ballasted roof, which is more than 20 years old, is being replaced with a new fully adhered synthetic rubber roofing membrane. This project should be completed by the end of June, weather permitting. A teaching lab in Derring Hall (room 2020) will receive a facelift with replacement of the cabinetry and flooring.

Derring Steps

A renovation to the staircase outside Derring Hall will improve the appearance and safety of one of the most heavily trafficked areas on campus and create additional common spaces. This ongoing project is part of a comprehensive effort to improve connectivity from the new North Academic Precinct to the existing academic core of the campus. The steps carry thousands of pedestrians from the Derring Lot up to the Cowgill Hall Plaza and Johnson Student Center. The project is expected to be complete before the start of the fall semester in mid-August. Read the Virginia Tech news article.

Engel Hall

An 1,800-square-foot lab on the second floor of Engel Hall is being renovated to update electrical outlets and gas valves. Additional power will be added for biochemistry equipment, and the exterior corridor door will be relocated to accommodate a new sink. A second exit door to the corridor will also be added along with a new floor.

Residential Door Access and Security

Security upgrades to install Hokie Passport card readers on all residential room doors began this summer and will continue through the summer of 2017 when all 4,500 student rooms will be equipped with the new technology. The new readers will provide on-campus residents the ability to unlock their room by holding their cards up to a reader and entering a pin number.

Southgate Interchange

Work continues on a new grade-separated interchange being built to replace the intersection of Southgate Drive and U.S. 460. The new interchange and Southgate realignment should be open for traffic by December 2017 with the final project completed by December 2018. Learn more.

Upper Quad Residence Halls

Brodie Hall has been demolished and is being reconstructed to match the recently completed Pearson Hall, to serve the housing needs of the Corps of Cadets. More than 1,000 beds in double and triple rooms will be provided between the two buildings. Pearson Hall opened to students during the fall 2015 semester. Brodie Hall is expected to be completed during the spring 2017 semester.

Additional Work

  • Additional lighting will be installed on the second floor of Newman Library and a portion of the ceiling will be replaced.
  • The fixed seating in two large teaching auditoriums in Hahn-North will be replaced in early August.
  • About 200 blue light phones will be installed in academic and administrative buildings to provide improved security.
  • Improved signage will be installed at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine.
  • Other buildings across campus will see work, such as fire alarm upgrades, new roofs, painting, and repairs and replacements of many mechanical systems.
  • Façade repairs will be completed to the exterior of Whittemore Hall.
  • Repairs and water-proofing will be performed to the pedestrian tunnel between Hahn-South and Davidson Hall.
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