Orange construction cones seem to be a constant and ubiquitous presence in the world. This holds true here at the University of Wyoming where the northwest corner of campus has become a construction zone.
On the corner of Lewis and 9th streets, students may have noticed several structures being bulldozed and two parking lots being removed. After the demolition is complete, a new Science Initiative building will be constructed on the site. The building will have 153,000 square feet of lab space for earth science and biology as well as a vivarium, greenhouse and room for collaborative instruction.
Plans for the Science Initiative Building began in 2014.
“This project has been in the works for many years, but has just started breaking ground here on campus,” said Project Manager Sam Farstad of UW Operations. “The Science Initiative Building is part of the legislative priority and university campaign to bring UW to a top tier science program status.”
The long-term goal for this area of campus is to build more state-of-the-art science buildings in addition to existing UW facilities.
“The northwest section of campus houses new and existing STEM education and research space,” Farstad said. “In addition to the Enzi Stem, EERB [Engineering, Education and Research Building] and Science Initiative buildings constructed or under construction in the last four years there will be a new West Campus Satellite Energy Plant, and the Lewis Street Corridor planning effort is also underway.”
UW Operations has taken steps to help minimize the impact of construction in the next couple years on students and staff, including limited construction to inside the bounds of pedestrian walkways. There will be some temporary road closures during construction.
However, once this construction is completed students and faculty will benefit with “state-of-the-art academic and research space to support the universities mission,” Farstad said.
