Campus construction, renovation projects move forward during summer months

With fewer people and events on campus, summer months at Marquette are often a time for Campus Master Plan projects to advance as crews move new construction projects forward and complete renovations and other physical upgrades to the university’s built environment.

Construction work continues on the reimagined Wellness + Recreation facility at the former Helfaer Tennis Stadium and Recreation Center on the southwestern edge of campus, and crews are in full swing at David A. Straz, Jr., Hall, where the new home for the top 30-ranked College of Nursing is beginning to take shape.

Just underway, interior renovation work will occur throughout the summer on the second, third and fourth floors of the Memorial Library space to make way for the Lemonis Center for Student Success. Exterior demolition and construction on the building’s northern façade will start later this summer.

All three projects are targeted for completion in 2024.

Commuters and pedestrians alike will have noticed the Milwaukee County Transit System’s first-ever Bus Rapid Transit line — called MCTS CONNECT — is open for service, with eastbound and westbound stations on the Marquette University campus located along Wisconsin Avenue at 9th Street, 12th Street and 16th Street.

Following is a snapshot of additional construction and renovation projects taking place throughout campus this summer: 

  • Roofs are being replaced at Schroeder Hall, Wehr Chemistry and a portion of Wehr Life Sciences, which will also see improvements to its first floor. 
  • Also at Schroeder Hall, crews will fully replace the residence hall’s fire alarm system
  • IT Services continues to improve on-campus connectivity and Wi-Fi performance with the expansion of the university’s fiber optic loop on Clybourn Street, from 15th Street to 17th Street. Watch for crews along this route and heed all signage. 
  • ITS is permanently moving its Help Desk from Cudahy Hall to Raynor Library. Additionally, crews are working to improve the lower, first and second floors as they consolidate service desks into a more open, welcoming station on the first floor, move the library’s digital scholarship services to the first floor, and more. 
  • With construction set to begin on the next round of clinics at the School of Dentistry, pedestrians and motorists will notice increased activity on 19th Street, including periodic sidewalk closures and closed parking meters. 
  • The mid-block speed table on 16th Street between Wisconsin Avenue and Wells Street that was installed to slow vehicle traffic will be replaced during the summer Gift of Time. Anyone traveling through campus during this time should be prepared for the complete closure of 16th Street.  
  • Work is underway on campus’ southernmost edge, as workers resurface and re-turf the east track and field at Valley Fields. Access to Valley Fields and its parking lot will be closed during the duration of the project.

The university thanks the Facilities Planning and Management team and the various contractors on these projects, as well as the campus community for its patience during construction. Commuters and pedestrians are asked to exercise caution when traveling near any of the areas under construction. Watch for and follow all safety signage, as well as sidewalk, street and lane closure signs.

Watch Marquette Today for updates on these and future projects. 

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