Over the summer of 2024, there have been several large-scale projects taking place all over campus, with some nearly finished and being prepared for student use as soon as spring 2025. The Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center (GBPAC) will likely be complete even sooner than 2025, according to Mike Zwanziger, the director of facilities management at UNI.

“[The project] is progressing very well. We have the new box office that’s about 90% complete,” Zwanziger said of the GBPAC project. “We still look way, way under construction on the outside of the building, but the intent is to have this project complete around December, and we will continue to have shows throughout the year. We’ll have to work people around some construction, but we will be open, and when you take a look at the building at the end of December, it should look really nice.”

The next major project in progress is the new Applied Engineering Building (AEB), located across from the Center for Energy and Environmental Education (CEEE). Zwanziger notes that while there have been delays regarding the construction of the AEB, he remains hopeful that the facility will be able to be in use in 2025.

“[The AEB]  was designed through the COVID time period. So, you know, we did a lot of things online,” Zwanziger said of the early stages of the AEB. “The current construction schedule indicates that we will be using the facility at the beginning of the spring semester.”

Zwanziger gave a preview of the several spaces for students to utilize once phase two of the project begins.

“We moved all the labs from the back of the building to the front of the building… for construction management, there’s a dedicated computer lab, construction site simulation lab and a senior design projects space for students to use— and that all comes in phase two. Again, we’re anticipating completion at the end of this calendar year so we can use it in the spring semester.”

Aside from the major work going on at the GBPAC and AEB, Facilities Management remains busy with minor improvement and repair projects all over campus. Students were made aware of a road closure on Jennings Drive by ROTH and Jennings Apartments before moving in. Zwanziger provided some insight on the project and its purpose.

“[Jennings Drive] was in really poor shape with potholes and cracked joints, and so we completely replaced a section of it with new storm intakes, as well as new pavement.” Zwanziger further stated, “Cedar Falls Utilities provides the water service to ROTH and Jennings, and since the main water service line is damaged, we’re working with them to replace it. While the road will be open, there will be some intermittent closures of the road or the parking lot, and we will move people to ensure that they always have access, either through the parking lot or through the road. We’re working with Cedar Falls utilities to provide a plan that will always provide that access.”

Roof repairs were needed for several buildings on campus. Zwanziger mentioned that Seerley Hall, Gilchrist Hall and most notably the UNI-Dome have all been getting the necessary roof repairs.

“Phase one of the UNI-Dome is really coming to an end, which was the team room that was completed last year, and the fabric roof replacement, which will be completed this fall,” Zwanziger stated. “Over the next few weeks, you’ll see the staircase that goes up to the roof— to the fabric—that’ll be getting removed. Then we’ll have some work around the perimeter of the UNI-Dome to get the building watertight.”

Zwanziger commented on the Campanile Plaza and briefly discussed future plans to replace it, noting why the gravel path from work in the area still remains there.

“The gravel by the Campanile was installed as a part of the carillon project that we recently completed. We added that gravel in so that we kept all the construction traffic off of the sidewalks to avoid damage and issues with students crossing.” Zwanziger continued, “We left that there, because that will be the access for the replacement of the plaza. We are planning to bid for the plaza replacement here in October, and we would probably start work on that around spring break, but really in earnest next summer, replace the Campanile Plaza.”

Spring 2025 will prove to be an eventful semester for students to look forward to as the major projects near completion and open for student use.