We are sharing a lot of information about our vision for the Tennessee Tech of tomorrow, and the physical transformation of our campus is a big part of that vision, Tennessee Tech President Phil Oldham said. The progress we are making with building new facilities and improving our infrastructure reflects the momentum we are experiencing in creating a great environment for students.
Starting this summer, numerous projects will impact travel around campus.
We appreciate your patience as we build the Tennessee Tech of tomorrow in order to better serve students.
Parking and Traffic Updates
Road Closures
Long-term construction closures
- 8th Street between Peachtree Avenue and Stadium Drive will be closed for the duration of the construction of the science building, completion is expected to be in fall 2020
- 8th Street between Stadium Drive and Willow Avenue will be closed for the duration of the construction of the student recreation center, completion is expected to be fall 2019
Short-duration construction closures
- Stadium Drive between 7th Street and 10th Street will be occasionally closed for contractor access during construction of the science and student recreation buildings
- Over the summer 2017, the roadway connecting McGee Boulevard to Stadium Drive will be closed during storm drain construction
- B Street will be closed between Stadium Drive and Peachtree Avenue in mid-July 2017 for approximately 60 days during stadium scoreboard installation
Permanent closures
- N. Whitney Avenue from 7th Street to 9th Street will be permanently closed
- Armstrong Street from 7th Street to 8th Street will be permanently closed
Road Realignment
8th Street between Stadium Drive and Willow Avenue will be realigned to link 9th Street at Whitney Avenue with 8th Street and Stadium Drive. This road, part of the campus master plan, will open upon completion of the student recreation center and science building.
Parking Lot Construction
Westside Lot
- Behind Tech Village
- Will be completed at the end of October 2017
- Adds approximately 650 spaces
Parking Lot Closures
- The western half of the commuter parking lot, north of 8th Street and Browning/Evins, will be closed June 1.
- The eastern half of the commuter parking lot (approximately 350 spaces), north of 8th Street and Maddux/McCord, will remain open until the completion of the parking lot behind Tech Village, then close
- Portions of the Tucker Stadium parking lot between the Hooper Eblen Center and the stadium will be closed during storm drain construction this summer
- A small portion of the parking lot adjacent to B Street will be closed to assemble the stadium scoreboard prior to installation within the stadium this summer and early fall
Projects
Tucker Stadium Storm Sewer Replacement
The storm drainage line that runs under the parking lot between the Hooper Eblen Center and the stadium must be replaced due to age and to allow for proper storm drainage in that area of campus.
- Construction will begin the end of May, after the last event scheduled in Hooper Eblen (an area high school commencement). The construction will be finished early August
- During construction, a significant portion of the lot will be closed
- University Facilities will keep as much of the lot open as possible, while balancing safety around the construction site
Roaden University Center Addition/Renovation
The project will expand the west side of the RUC, creating more space. A walking bridge between the west side s expansion and Centennial Plaza will be created. This project will also address the safety concerns that have caused the side of the building to be fenced off. Also during this project, the Multipurpose Room on the second floor of the RUC will be renovated.
- Construction expected to begin in July; 18-month project
- Multipurpose Room renovation is on a separate, but concurrent schedule, which will allow that room to be reopen January 2018
- The parking lot directly behind the RUC will be closed during construction to serve as the staging area for the work
Kittrell and Bartoo Halls Renovation
The next buildings to be renovated as part of the university s master plan are Kittrell and Bartoo halls on the historic main quad. These renovations will be similar in scope to what has been done to other academic buildings recently, such as Oakley, T.J. Farr and Henderson.
- Departments in the buildings will be moved to Foundation Hall this summer
- Construction is expected to begin this fall, with anticipated completion in spring 2019
- Departments will move back in during the spring and summer 2019, with classes back in the buildings for fall semester 2019
Volpe Library
There are two separate projects involving Volpe Library: masonry and excavation.
- Masonry: A complete re-bricking of the building to address long-term masonry leakage; expected to begin summer 2018
- Excavation: A part of the first floor that was left unexcavated during original construction will be excavated in order to create more space within the building; expected to begin fall 2017
New Student Recreation Center
The new student recreation center is designed to be the new campus front door, attracting prospective students while serving current students and faculty. The design fosters an inviting environment for wellness by creating spaces that combine independent and group recreation together to meet the needs of all users. Fitness and weight spaces will provide state-of-the-art equipment, including a climbing wall, in a dynamic two-level space, as well as racquetball courts.
- Groundbreaking is Thursday, April 27
- Multiphase project with early infrastructure work beginning this summer
- Construction on building expected this fall
- Anticipated completion fall 2019
New Science Building
Occupying 150,000-square-feet of space, the new science building, once completed, will be the largest academic building on campus. The building will house the chemistry department and a portion of the biology department. There will also be labs for Earth sciences, physics and environmental sciences. In keeping with the university s master plan, the building will be located immediately north of the Capital Quad residence halls on the site of a current parking lot. It will be the key feature of a future east-west academic mall.
- Multiphase project with early infrastructure work beginning this summer
- Construction on building expected late January 2018
- Anticipated completion spring 2020; classes in building for fall semester 2020
- Old Maintenance Building on north side of current parking lot will be used as a staging/storage area for contractors starting June 1
New Tucker Stadium Scoreboard
A new video scoreboard will be installed in the stadium this summer.
- Part of university s commitment to retaining the TSSAA high school football championships in Cookeville
- 100 feet wide by 80 feet high
- Construction will begin mid-June to early July; expected completion is early October
New Roofs
The State of Tennessee has budgeted funds for multiple roof replacements at Tech, including the Hooper Eblen Center, Hyder-Burks Agricultural Pavilion, Cookeville Higher Education Campus and the engineering quad.
- Expected to begin late fall 2017 or early spring 2018
Projects Nearing Completion
Maddux/McCord Renovation
- Construction on this renovation to be completed this summer
- Open to residents start of the fall semester
Jere Whitson Renovation
Renovations to Jere Whitson Hall will transform the historic building into the campus visitor and welcome center, as well as serve as a one-stop shop for students. The renovated space will include the following offices: admissions, financial aid, advisement, academic services, records and registration and military and veteran affairs. Consolidation of these offices into one space will make it much easier on students who need assistance, and well as providing important navigation help for incoming students and their families. Additionally, the Backdoor Playhouse will take up space in the entire basement.
- Substantial completion by mid-May
- Enrollment Management units and Backdoor Playhouse move in mid-June
- Reopens to general public in August
Future Projects (currently in varied stages of planning)
Poultry Science Building at Hyder-Burks Site
- Funded by $2 million state grant to establish Center for Poultry Science Excellence and Research
- Will be state s first facility dedicated to poultry research
Browning/Evins Renovation
- Next residence hall to undergo renovation
- Similar to renovation done most recently to Maddux/McCord
- Expected to start during 2017-2018 academic year
Pennebaker Hall Renovation
- Similar to other academic building renovations
- Will start after the Department of Chemistry moves to new science building
- Department of Biology that does not move to new science building will be temporarily relocated to Foster Hall during Pennebaker renovation