Last year saw the start of many ambitious projects on DU’s campus. Administration introduced its comprehensive plan to improve campus in the fall of 2018. This plan, named The Denver Advantage, proposed sweeping construction improvements that would take place over the span of 20 years. These include more subtle improvements, like new walkways, and more substantial improvements, like numerous new buildings. Though many proposed projects will not come to fruition for another couple of decades, the current projects underway are obvious.
There are three major construction projects occurring right now. The first is the construction of the Community Commons, built where Driscoll North used to stand. Driscoll North was torn down in early January 2019, and the foundation of its replacement has been started. Anderson Mason Dale Architects and Moore Ruble Yudell are the architects for the project, and Saunders Construction Inc. are the contractors. The Community Commons is set to open October of 2020.
The next project is the construction of the new first-year residence hall. The homes along High Street, where the residence hall will be, were torn down in Fall Quarter of 2019. DU broke ground months later in the winter of 2019. The architects and contractor of the new residence hall are the same as for the Community Commons. The hall is set to finish construction in August of 2020.
The Pioneer Career achievement center was supposed to be in construction around the same time, but it was delayed. The Leo Block Alumni Center was intended to be torn down, and its replacement to begin construction, in the final months of 2018. However, the Leo Block Alumni Center still stands on the northeast corner of Driscoll Green. As a result, the proposed project end of 2020 will surely be delayed.
The last construction project was the demolition of Aspen Hall, west of the Sie Complex. Demolition went according to plan, but it is unclear when construction will end and foot paths will be accessible again. The proposed structure for that location is not intended to be built for another ten years.
Students can find information about the construction by visiting the Campus Framework Plan online and visiting the Construction Updates page on the Facilities Management and Planning website. Concerns regarding construction can be shared on The Denver Advantage webpage.
