SUMMER BRINGS FLURRY OF CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY TO SMU

DALLAS (SMU) -- The pace of construction and renovation at Southern Methodist University will pick up this summer as the campus continues to benefit from the just-completed Campaign for SMU: A Time to Lead.

Between now and Labor Day, a fountain by a world-famous artist will be built in front of the Meadows Museum, the Junkins Engineering Building and a new pedestrian plaza near Dedman Life Sciences Building will be completed, work will start on the Laura Lee Blanton Student Services Building, space for visitor parking will be expanded, and renovations will allow additional spaces for career counseling, a digital television studio and recognition of major donors to the capital campaign.

The projects include:

• Installation of a fountain-sculpture designed by internationally renowned Spanish architect, engineer and sculptor Santiago Calatrava has begun and will continue through August. The fountain, located on the plaza in front of the Meadows Museum, will be a 40-by-80-foot work titled “Wave” that incorporates a large pool of water with rocking steel arms running its length. The arms will sequentially transfer water from one end of the pool to the other, forming a continuous wave.
• The lobby of McFarlin Auditorium will be renovated to enhance its appearance and allow for the recognition of major donors to The Campaign for SMU: A Time to Lead. In addition, a sprinkler system will be installed throughout the building. Work on the building will continue through mid-August, so no events will be held there this summer.
• The Junkins Engineering Building, located on the southwest corner of Airline and Dyer Street, will be completed in mid-July and ready for the start of school in the fall. The $14.6 million building will be occupied primarily by SMU's Electrical Engineering Department. Landscaping around the building is expected to start this week and continue through mid-August, including the removal of the fence and construction trailers along Airline Road. Daily progress on the Junkins Building can be seen live via webcam at http://www.engr.smu.edu/co/cams/junkinscam.html
• Work on the $13 million Laura Lee Blanton Student Services Building will begin in mid-July. When completed in fall 2003, the building will house the Division of Enrollment Services, which provides primary contact for current and prospective students with admission, enrollment, financial aid and student account services; SMU’s Office of Information Technology Services; a new International Center; and the SMU-in-Taos program.
• Construction of a digital television studio and newsroom is under way in the Umphrey Lee Center. The work, funded by a $5 million gift from The Belo Foundation, is due for completion by this fall. Staging area for the work is the north side of the center. The facility will produce local news and feature programming for distribution by television, radio, Internet and print.
• The former game room in Hughes-Trigg Student Center will be renovated to allow for expansion of the Career Center. Work is scheduled to start June 10 and be completed by the end of July.
• Concrete in Doak Walker Plaza is being replaced and the work is scheduled for completion in mid-June.
• University Boulevard between Airline Road and Ownby Drive has been closed and will be converted to a grassy area.
• Two houses owned by SMU on the northeast corner of University Boulevard and Ownby Drive, across from the Dedman Life Sciences Building, will be demolished this month to allow for expansion of the Q Lot, which is a visitor parking area. Entry to the lot will be on University at Airline Road.
• Binkley Avenue between Airline Road and Ownby Drive will be closed through August because of construction. The Binkley-Ownby intersection will reopen in mid-June.
• The parking lot on the east side of Bradfield Computing Center will be eliminated in mid-July, when construction starts on the Laura Lee Blanton Student Services Building. It is suggested that those who use this lot park in Moody Garage or Meadows Garage.
• A pedestrian mall is being created on the east side of Dedman Life Sciences Building. This work, expected to take all summer, will include the laying of paving stones, tree plantings and other landscaping.

Construction activities and the delivery of materials may occasionally affect traffic flow on university streets. The University apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. Please direct questions or concerns about construction activities to gshultz@mail.smu.edu.