April Wright
April WrightThe changing weather has not halted construction on campus, but it has caused setbacks in the opening schedules.
One project delayed due to this is the construction of the Bank of Kentucky Arena, which is now scheduled to open in fall 2008. However, Director of Architecture and Construction Services Steve Nienaber said, “The contractor is working to make up the schedule.”
Nienaber also added that structural concrete work is complete in the arena and the structural steel erection is underway.
“The plan is to have a soft opening for commencement in May of 2008 with the first athletic event in the fall,” Nienaber said.
Another project delayed because of inclement weather was the construction of the new Student Union, which is also set to open fall 2008. Nienaber said other setbacks were due to unforeseen underground utility issues.
Aside from the arena and Student Union, the university is preparing to close its main entrance for the construction of a roundabout.
The bypass, which will be built on University Drive, will cause the main entrance of Northern Kentucky University to close during May. Temporary signs redirecting traffic will go up in late April or early May.
But weather hasn’t set back construction for the new College of Informatics, which is still in the programming phase.
“During this phase of the project, the university planner department is working with the Informatics Department to create a written plan that the architects will use to begin The changing weather has not halted construction on campus, but it has caused setbacks in the opening schedules.
One project delayed due to this is the construction of the Bank of Kentucky Arena, which is now scheduled to open in fall 2008. However, Director of Architecture and Construction Services Steve Nienaber said, “The contractor is working to make up the schedule.”
Nienaber also added that structural concrete work is complete in the arena and the structural steel erection is underway.
“The plan is to have a soft opening for commencement in May of 2008 with the first athletic event in the fall,” Nienaber said.
Another project delayed because of inclement weather was the construction of the new Student Union, which is also set to open fall 2008. Nienaber said other setbacks were due to unforeseen underground utility issues.
Aside from the arena and Student Union, the university is preparing to close its main entrance for the construction of a roundabout.
The bypass, which will be built on University Drive, will cause the main entrance of Northern Kentucky University to close during May. Temporary signs redirecting traffic will go up in late April or early May.
But weather hasn’t set back construction for the new College of Informatics, which is still in the programming phase.
“During this phase of the project, the university planner department is working with the Informatics Department to create a written plan that the architects will use to begin the design process,” Nienaber said. However, he added that design and construction schedules have not been finalized.
Some future construction projects for NKU include a new parking garage and a Welcome Center, located at the corner of University Drive and Nunn Drive. Nienaber said construction is scheduled to begin this summer.
Nienaber said along with the project, a new pedestrian bridge would be built over University Drive that will link the garage to the Bank of Kentucky Arena. The project is scheduled to open Fall 2008.
Improving the campus by creating special buildings and special open areas are just some of the university’s goals, according to Nienaber.
“This is a very exciting time at NKU,” Nienaber said. “Students are at the hearts of all of our efforts.”