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Get the most interesting and important stories from the University of Pittsburgh.When returning to the Bradford, Greensburg and Pittsburgh campuses this fall, you might notice some things have changed. From a new collaboration space in the Cathedral of Learning to new labs to progress on Hillman Library renovations, there are plenty of construction and renovation projects underway to enhance the experience of students, faculty and staff.
Salk Hall
This historic building, which houses the Schools of Pharmacy and Dental Medicine, received a massive update that includes a new three-story atrium, an updated lecture hall and new classrooms, labs and research spaces, ensuring ADA accessibility. Along with a new roof, the renovations also include updated plumbing and mechanical and electrical infrastructure.
The Assembly
The Assembly is poised to serve as an innovation hub for Pitt researchers working to create knowledge and advance health care discoveries. The University is leasing approximately 245,000 square feet of the facility, located at 5051 Centre Ave., leaving approximately 110,000 square feet of new construction available for lease by other tenants.
Pitt researchers who will anchor the building include leading scientists in the fields of cancer research and immunology. The Assembly will also house a number of Pitt investigators from the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, the Department of Immunology, the Institute for Precision Medicine and the Women’s Cancer Research Center.
Hillman Library
The Hillman Library Reinvention is scheduled to complete its third phase in February 2023, with renovations to approximately 40,000 square feet on the first and second floors. New features include extensive collaborative space, open study areas, an expanded cafe and a new ADA accessible ramp from Forbes Avenue.
Cathedral of Learning
The Center for Creativity’s new space, The Understory, is now open! Located in the Cathedral of Learning basement, CL B60, the space is designed for collaboration and innovation of all kinds. The Cathedral has also just received upgrades to the waterproofing of the foundation beneath the east and west entrances — work that will ensure the Cathedral’s longevity.
Multiple locations, including the seventh floor of the Cathedral and 3512 Fifth Ave., are also undergoing renovations to centralize offices and support hybrid work.
Additional ADA improvements
Reflective of the University’s commitment to strengthen accessibility across campus, Alumni Hall will have a new ADA accessible ramp installed on the Lytton Avenue entrance. A ramp in the Charity Randall Theatre in the Stephen Foster Memorial Building will also be finished this month, making the space accessible for performers, guests and audience members.
Hillside Renovation
On Sept. 29, the University will celebrate the construction of the state-of-the-art Campus Recreation and Wellness Center that will encompass all aspects of health and wellness, taking a holistic approach to support and enrich the student experience.
The Campus Recreation and Wellness Center is part of a larger transformation of the upper campus hillside that includes enabling projects like pathway enhancements, new outdoor spaces and infrastructure improvements, as well as a new Arena and Sports Performance Complex.
Life Sciences Building, Greenburg Campus
The new Life Sciences Building on the Pitt-Greensburg campus is designed to provide state-of-the-art facilities — including clinical, chemistry and biology labs, simulation suites, a telemedicine space, a computer lab and additional office space — to accommodate the growing science and nursing programs at the campus. Located adjacent to Smith Hall, a new corridor will connect the buildings and create a unified Life Sciences Complex.
George B. Duke Engineering & Information Technologies Building, Bradford Campus
A new building is set to be the home of two new engineering technology majors — mechanical engineering technology and energy engineering technology — as well as other existing engineering and information technology programs at the Pitt-Bradford campus. The George B. Duke Engineering & Information Technologies Building includes specialized spaces for engineering and technology studies, including a circuit lab, measurements lab, machine shop, fluid dynamics lab, virtual reality lab and study rooms. The building was also constructed to meet Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) standards, with a solar array on the roof expected to produce 113,000 kWh per year.
Learn more about current and future projects on the Faculties Management website.
Tips for pedestrians near construction zones
If you’re walking near areas undergoing renovations, the Office of Public Safety and Emergency Management has this advice for pedestrians:
- Stay vigilant whenever you are around construction areas.
- Heed all warning signs and instructions from construction workers.
- Never cut through construction zones or cross safety barriers.
- Follow designated navigation, pavement markings and barriers that temporarily redirect traffic, like the pathway on O’Hara Street.
- Watch for construction, police or other vehicles that may be entering and exiting the area.
To report a construction safety concern or issue, call facilities management at 412-624-9500, available 24 hours a day.
— Melanie Lippert and Patrick Monahan