New Student Housing Project
("Liberty Terrace")

August 2012

Overview

The University is constructing 500 new apartment-style beds on the southeast portion of the Uptown campus, named "Liberty Terrace". These apartments will be similar to Empire Commons with 4 one-bedroom units within each apartment sharing 2 full bathrooms, a kitchen, and a living/dining room area. The project involves the construction of two buildings, each 5 stories tall, with 250 bedrooms in each building. The buildings will include meeting spaces, an exercise room, a lounge area, and other shared amenities for students, including laundry facilities on each floor. On-site parking for student residents will also be available. The site/area in and around the project will be heavily landscaped and upgraded to provide a sustainable natural environment and walking and jogging paths for the enjoyment of the entire community.

Green Construction and Sustainability

This project is being designed to be a LEED Gold facility with myriad natural and sustainable elements, including permeable pavement, a green roof, rain gardens, daylight maximization, and the use of recycled and locally-sourced materials. Of note, the buildings will be heated and cooled through a geothermal (ground source heat pump) system using the constant temperature of the soils to moderate cooling and heating energy needs. The University is working with a grant from the United States Department of Energy for the design and installation of this eco-friendly mechanical system.

Road and Site Work

In deference to the topography of the site and the need to best shield the housing project from the University's neighbors, this project involves relocating University Drive as depicted in the rendering below. The road has been relocated closer to the boundary of the University so that the housing is closer to the center of the campus. Earthwork, grading, and significant storm water mitigation work has improved run-off and provides a robust tree line along the edge of the property. In addition to these improvements, the short road which connects University Drive to the UAB and MSC buildings off Indian Pond (University Place) has been reconfigured as shown the rendering below.

Purple Path

As part of the work above, the University's dedicated walking and jogging path, the "Purple Path", will be extended from the southern portion of the campus through the housing project, by Indian Pond, and through to the Boor Sculpture Studio. A new softball field along the path will be constructed for University student intramural and recreational use; and selected areas of the site will be enhanced with seating, sculpture, and other recreational amenities.

Schedule

The following are estimated dates and activities scheduled for construction as of the writing of this update, subject to change, of course, based on weather, site, and building conditions

Notable Project Progress (as of August 2012)

The project is ready for occupancy and the ribbon cutting is scheduled for August 20, 2012.

Final site work will continue through the fall, most notably finalizing the intramural softball field, pocket park by the Boor Studio, berm plantings, informal play field southeast of the UPD building, and various walks.

Our Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan inspections have continued, as required, through the completion of the project.

Questions and Comments Regarding Project

For general questions regarding project schedule and scope, please contact Diana Delp, University project manager, at 442-3426.

During construction, for questions regarding construction work, workers, and project disruption, please contact Sam Gleason at 257-3000.

(Click thumbnail for printable version.)

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  Site Plan

  

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  Rendering of northern-most wing of new building.

  

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  Section and topographical rendering of minimization of site lines to housing project from neighbors by setting-back building, constructing berm, and new tree planting.

  

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  Site clearing largely completed, October 11, 2010

  

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  Site construction view looking southeast from UPD Building

  

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  View of the new University Place connector road looking west

  

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  Site view looking east toward the berm and new plantings

  

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  View of newly relocated University Drive, from berm, taken January 6, 2011

  

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  Rendering of housing project, birds eye view, looking northeast

  

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  Site excavations near Boor Sculpture Studio

  

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  Continuation of the Purple Path near the baseball field

  

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  Elevator pit framing Building B

  

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  Under-slab utilities Wing B2

  

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  Project Aerial – Looking north west

  

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  Interior View – Typical windows openings for an apartment (living room and bedrooms)

  

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  Interior View – Typical floor before framing

  

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  Exterior View – Looking south east during 4th floor exterior panel installation

  

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  Exterior View – Looking west during 5th floor exterior panel installation

  

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  Installation of the heat pump at an apartment (part of the geothermal system)

  

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  Enjoy the view!

  

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  1st floor lounge and game room

  

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  Center/commons building entry and lounge

  

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  Exercise room

  

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  Floor lounge

  

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  Kitchen/living area

  

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  Kitchen/living area

  

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  Every floor has a study area

  

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  Every floor in each wing has laundry facilities

  

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  Every apartment has 4 single bedrooms, this is typical of the layout

  

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  Exterior view, south wing

  

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  Exterior view east face