Facilities Notifications

Accelerator Building (ACC) and High Energy Physics (HEP)-Demolition

September 3, 2024

Starting on Monday, Sept. 9, construction activities will start at the North Sciences Quad in preparation for the demolition of the HEP and ACC buildings. The work activities will continue for several months into early 2025. There will be periods of time when noise, dust and vibrations will be evident, and mitigation efforts will be managed by the construction team. Please see the below graphic showing the fenced-in project site and expected traffic and pedestrian interruptions.

The campus community can expect the following during the coming months:

  • Traffic lane and parking lane temporary closures.
  • Saw-cutting for water disconnecting work in the roadway on Ellis Avenue.
  • Construction vehicle traffic during fence installation and throughout demolition.

Demo graphic

For questions, please contact Eric Eichler, project consultant, at eeichler@forgeprojects.com

Thank you for your patience throughout this project.


Harper Library Cathey Reading Room Renovation

July 31, 2024

On Wednesday, Jul. 24, mobilization started at the Cathey Reading Room in preparation for the renovation project scheduled in the Reading Room. The scope of work includes refinishing the existing tables, recarpeting the entire room, removing existing light fixtures and installing new table light fixtures new floor lamps.

The campus community can expect the following throughout the project:

  • There will be a pathway through the center of the room for accessibility use and emergencies, only. Signage will be posted for “how to” obtain accessible access through the room.
  • There will be a point in the project where it will be unsafe for passage through the space and the room will need to be temporarily closed; confirmed dates to follow.
  • Material will be delivered to the site and staged in a designated area within Cathey.
  • Some small equipment may be stored, at times.
  • Working hours will typically be between 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Project completion is scheduled for end of September.

Please note, there will be some noise when sanding of the tables occurs; dust protection will be used during this work.

Reading room graphic

For questions, please contact Kathy Adams, project manager, at kathyadams@uchicago.edu.

Thank you for your patience during this work.


1155 E. 60th Roof Replacement - Phase 2

June 4, 2024

On Thursday, Jun. 6, mobilization for the second phase of roof replacement at 1155 East 60th Street will start.

The scope of work includes:

  • Installation of protective canopies and scaffolding for roof access.
  • Replacement of two roofs with related repairs to the roof drainage and parapet masonry.  

Building occupants and visitors can expect some noise related to the parapet work as the masons grind damaged mortar joints and replace broken ashlar stones.  Dust protections will be put in place and coordinated with Facilities Services staff.  The work is expected to conclude in September.

Please direct questions to Patrick Lummen, project manager, at plummen@uchicago.edu.

Thank you for your patience during this work.


Rockefeller Chapel Exterior Envelope project-summer 2024

February 6, 2024

A project to repair the façade and restore the stained-glass windows is scheduled to start in early February. The project will mobilize throughout the month of February with actual construction starting in early March. The project schedule will continue through April 2026. 

The campus community can expect the following throughout the project:

  • There will be scaffolding and fencing erected throughout the project. 
  • All access to the chapel will remain open.
  • The circle at the east side of the chapel will remain open for drop-offs.
  • There will be debris dumpsters at the site.
  • Workers will be on site Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • There will be some noise associated with project activities.

Rockefeller Construction Graphic

Please direct questions to Patrick Lummen, project manager, at plummen@uchicago.edu.

Thank you for your patience during this work.


Harper East Tower Elevator

November 10, 2023

The Harper East Tower elevator will be out-of-service effective end of the day, Friday, Nov. 10. In its current condition, the reliability of the elevator is not consistent and it poses a safety concern when it is used, and entrapments are likely. 

There is a capital project approved and scheduled for the modernization of the elevator. The project will occur in 2024. Until the project is complete the elevator will remain out of service.

The extent of Harper Memorial Library East Elevator

  1. The East elevator is a traction-type elevator that was previously installed in 2006. The typical useful service life of the hoist drive motor, machine, essential components & mechanisms, and controller is 20 years.

  2. Currently, there is a lack of proper machine room cooling and enclosure (keeping doors shut to ward off dust and debris and maintaining proper ambient temperature may be straining controller components thereby significantly reducing the service life.

  3. The project scope for the modernization of the East elevator will replace all of the major operational and mechanical items. The scope also includes replacing the elevator cab (interior finishes), providing proper machine room cooling, updating fire service locks for BOTH East and west elevators, and installing a lobby fire command panel for both East and West elevators.

The campus community and visitors can expect to following while the elevator is out of service:

  • The scheduled elevator modernization will occur in Summer/Fall 2024

  • The Harper East Tower stairwell will be unlocked from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The doors will remain locked over the weekend.

  • The door between SSRB-5th floor and Harper will remain unlocked from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The door will remain locked over the weekend.

  • Signage will be posted at the elevator indicating the elevator is unavailable; please see the attached signage.

  • Project updates will be provided, as needed, regarding the start of work and progress made throughout the modernization process.

For questions regarding the status of the elevator modernization project, please contact John Choi, project manager, at jchoi21@uchicago.edu.


Botany Pond: Demolition and Concrete Removal

August 23, 2023

Project activities are scheduled at the Botany Pond project; there is expected to be some noise associated with the activities and a change in the project fencing footprint. Please see the attached updated/revised project graphic.

Coring of the Concrete Wall

Tentatively scheduled for Thursday, May 9, the electrical contractor will be coring a new hole into the pond’s concrete wall in preparation for the installation of the pond’s filtration system components. This activity will have noise associated but will be complete before the end of the day.

Pond Liner Installation

Following the coring work for the concrete wall, the pond liner is slated to be installed at Botany Pond starting the week of May 13. Given the amount of materials needed for this installation and limited laydown space adjacent to the pond, the project site’s fencing will be temporarily expanded during the week as shown in the graphic. The fence will return to its current footprint by noon on Thursday, May 16 in time for the Alumni weekend activities begin. There will be minimal noise and all pathways will remain open during this time. This work activity is weather sensitive; if there are delays or changes to this schedule, we will update everyone accordingly.

Updates on these two activities will be distributed, if needed. 

For questions, please contact Lindsay Haskins, project manager, at l.haskins@cotterconsulting.com.


For more information visit the Botany Pond Project Page.

For questions regarding the Botany Pond Project, please contact Lindsay Taylor Haskins, project manager, at l.haskins@cotterconsulting.com

Thank you.


Green Hall Elevator modernization and improvement project

March 16, 2023

On Monday, June 5 a project to replace the existing elevator at Green Hall will commence. The work will continue through the end of the calendar year. The project is to replace the existing elevator with a new elevator that will provide direct elevator access at street level from the east building entrance and access to all floors within the building (newly extending access to the 5th floor).

Building occupants and visitors can expect the following:

  • ADA access to the building will be via the Social Science courtyard (west) entrance and by using the elevators in Foster (3rd floor) and Pick (floors 2, 3, and 4) to selected floors.  
  • At times throughout the project, the east building entrance at University Avenue will not be available.
  • Noise will be associated with this project.
  • Workers will be on site from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.
  • A debris dumpster will be placed on University Avenue (near Pick Hall) throughout the project.
  • Signage will be in place throughout the building to inform occupants and visitors.
  • During Elevator Closure: 

    FOR ACCESS TO THE BASEMENT OR 1ST FLOOR PLEASE USE THE STAIRS OR THE LIFT AT THE WEST ENTRANCE. 
    FOR ACCESS TO FLOORS 2,3, AND 4 PLEASE USE STAIRS OR THE ELEVATOR IN PICK HALL.

Green Hall Graphic

For questions, please contact C. Lee, project manager, at clee12@uchicago.edu.


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