Construction projects advance over summer

When Rebecca Lebens returned to Pitt — and the country — after a year studying abroad in Europe, she was surprised to witness the changes on campus since her departure. 

“I came back, and there was a whole new dorm that I’d never heard of,” Lebens said. 

Before her departure, what is now Nordenberg Hall was a small parking lot. 

“In a way, I’m getting to know the campus and Pitt all over again, but it could be more interesting than seeing the same things all over again.” 

The University completed eleven construction projects over the summer, many of which were only begun after classes ended in May. In addition to a new dorm and extensive renovations to the bookstore, several other facilities on campus have undergone significant renovations. While some of these projects included new construction, others aimed at modernizing facilities.

The Graduate School of Public Health continued renovations on both Parran and Crabtree Halls.  The project includes a five-story, 57,000-square-foot addition along with renovations in the building’s labs and auditorium. In 2006, the University decided to spend $40 million for the construction project in the school of public health’s buildings. The state granted an additional $32 million, according to Pitt spokesman John Fedele.

Classrooms in Salk Hall, David Lawrence Hall and the Information Sciences Building were also reconfigured with new white boards, audio-visual components, energy-efficient lighting and upgraded acoustics.  

The large lecture rooms in David Lawrence Hall were redesigned because of requests from both students and faculty, and the changes have created a more collaborative space. For example, the development included new seating, allowing chairs to turn a full circle to enable better discussions and interactions.  

Construction projects over the summer also included extensive changes to the William Pitt Union.

The Union’s Assembly Room, which has held dance workshops, poster fairs and lectures, was rebuilt extensively. Ceilings, flooring and the stage were stripped and redesigned. Performances that use the stage now have a host of options available to them, including various lighting scenarios, digital projectors and an improved sound system.

The renovations have also affected on-campus menu options.

The Union is now home to a Taco Bell as well as increased seating space. An updated Quick Zone, now twice the size of its predecessor, sits in the same location beneath Towers. Additionally, Market Central opened “Towers Treats,” an ice cream and dessert booth. 

While ice cream may be nice on lazy afternoons, it’s not the ideal breakfast food. The first floor of Amos Hall, which previously housed a fitness center, will now instead be occupied by the Oakland Bakery and Market. The bakery won’t be a cafe for dining and studying, but will accept dining dollars and Panther Funds for payment, in addition to cash and credit cards.

Fedele was unable to compile the costs of the other construction projects that took place over the summer before the time of publication. 

Rose Morrison, a senior, appreciated the majority of the renovations. 

“I thought it was ironic that a bakery has now replaced the gym. They were offering free samples of carrot cake and brownies though, which were pretty delicious,” she said.