University Plaza Project
Project at a Glance
Project Objective: Better
access, more parking, attractive enhancement to campus.
Start Date:
August 2004
Anticipated Completion*: November 2006
Construction Impact:
includes phasing street detours and traffic re-routing
Project Description: A
new two-level parking facility will be built in a park-like setting, to serve as
the new central core for the east end campus. Will involve the straightening of
University Boulevard and the installation of utility infrastructure for future
expansions.
This image was taken in early February 2006. The main
components
of the parking structure are now in place.
Aug. 21, 2006: Major phase of
University Plaza project nearing completion
The University Plaza project will mark two major milestones
in the coming weeks. In late September or the beginning of October, once
earthwork and landscaping has been completed, the new traffic loop and the new
parking structure will open to vehicles and pedestrians.
SEE MAP OF NEW TRAFFIC PATTERN.
The material beyond this
point is out of date and is being offered for reference only.
April 25, 2006:
Sidewalk north and east of Administration Building to close
Beginning Tuesday, April 25, the contractor working on the University Plaza
Project will need to close the pedestrian access around the north and east side
of the Administration Building in order to install new chill water lines as a
part of the University Plaza Project. This closure will also affect the east
entrance (on the second level) of the Administration Building. Signs will be
installed to assist pedestrians. We apologize for any inconvenience caused by
this temporary detour. See the plaza access page...
April 20, 2005:
University Plaza project enters new phase; pedestrian route to change
Steady progress is being made on University Plaza, a major
project on the east end of the UTMB campus that will bring a new two-level
parking garage, easy drive-up access to clinical facilities and upgrades to our
infrastructure. As work expands to a new section, a pedestrian walkway across
Darrell Royal, immediately south of the Sealy and Smith (Ampco) Parking Garage,
will close on Monday, April 25, 2005. Although extremely inconvenient, this closure is
necessary for the safety of UTMB staff and students. Heavy equipment is now
working in the area, and additional excavation for underground utilities is set
to begin. Access to the hospital complex from the garage and all points north of
Texas Ave. will now be through Jennie Sealy Hospital. We apologize for any
inconvenience. See online map for routes…
Feb. 28, 2005:
Market St. at University Blvd. reopens Tuesday; asphalt work continues
to west
 The
University Plaza project marks a major milestone Tuesday morning, March 1,
with the reopening of a block-long segment of University Blvd. (Sixth St.),
including the intersection at Market St. The area reopening fronts the Rebecca
Sealy Hospital, starting at Postoffice and going north to Market. A three-way
stop will be in place until traffic signals are installed. Motorists are urged
to exercise caution, and pedestrians are requested to please use the crosswalks.
Also on March 1, further west on Market
St. (between 11th and 9th streets), the City of Galveston will resume work,
preparing to lay asphalt to level the areas adjacent to the new trolley tracks.
Both lanes of Market Street will be closed, but the contractor now estimates
work will only take a day or so.
UPDATE (posted Mar. 4, 2005): Asphalt
work on Market is complete and the road is open.
Feb. 14, 2005: Darrell
Royal Boulevard closing Feb. 16; route to parking garage changing
Installation of utility infrastructure on the southeast side
of the University Plaza construction project is forcing the closure of Darrell
Royal Boulevard at the 5th Street intersection, effective Wednesday, Feb. 16.
Starting Wednesday morning, employees and students who park in the Sealy & Smith
parking garage (Ampco) will have to turn from Harborside and proceed south on
6th St. to get to the parking garage entrance. Access to the Ampco surface lot
is not changing; commuters may continue to access the lot via a turn from
Holiday Drive to Market St. We appreciate your patience as we work to build a
better UTMB. See the updated access map.
Jan. 27, 2005: Safety alert issued for
Harborside Drive
Another active phase of construction has begun on Harborside
Drive, as contractors continue to upgrade major water and sewage systems serving
the UTMB campus. Work is primarily taking place in the medians, and at least one
lane of traffic in each direction will stay open throughout the project.
Existing crosswalks will also remain open. Your safety is important to us;
please stay clear of the work area and out of construction zones. These include
the northernmost, eastbound lane of Harborside, and fenced off areas of the
median. UTMB and TDCJ employees have been using the restricted lane as a
drop-off and pick-up point, and the median as a spot for smoking breaks. Holes,
construction materials, heavy equipment and trucks make this an extremely
hazardous area. Thanks for your cooperation and support as we build a better
UTMB.
Friday, December 10, 2004: More Trees
relocated
As part of the plaza project, three larges
trees are being moved Saturday, Dec. 11 from the construction zone to a new
location just east of the Visitor Center. Parking will be restricted on a short
portion of Darrell Royal and on the west side of the Ampco parking lot (nearest
to the Sealy & Smith Garage).
Tuesday, October 12, 2004:
- the storm and sanitary utility work is scheduled to be
complete by the first part January 2005, at which time all lanes of traffic
on Harborside Drive will be re-opened.
- The road work from Postoffice through the Market St.
intersection will be complete in February 2005.
University Boulevard (also known as 6th St.) closed
Monday, August 16, north of Postoffice for work on the University Plaza Project.
A large portion of the east end of the UTMB campus will be affected as a new
two-level parking facility is built on the site of the former Sealy and Smith
Professional Building. The new plaza will serve as the core for the east end
campus, providing easy drive-up access to current and future clinical facilities
and new, upgraded utilities for existing and planned development. University
Blvd. will be straightened in the process. Here are some additional key points:
-
Protected routes for
pedestrians traversing the
University Plaza Project
are now available online.
- Beginning Monday, August 16, the campus shuttle that ran from the free parking lot
at Holiday Drive & Winnie Street began picking up and dropping off at 8th and 9th on
Market only. The shuttle runs 6:30 a.m.- 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.- 5:30 p.m. The large city bus that runs throughout the day from 8:43 a.m.
to 9:13 p.m. will make the regular stops; but with detours due to
construction, expect delays.
- Work on different aspects of the project will take place
at the same time including some utility work in the median of Harborside Dr.
(Harborside Dr. will remain open to traffic). Areas will open as the work is
complete.
- The intersection of Market St. and University Blvd. will
be one of the first targeted to reopen, near the end of this year.
- All patients and visitors will be directed to the main
hospital entrance on 8th St., accessed off Postoffice; and beginning in
mid-September, to the recently renovated and soon-to-open University
Hospital Clinics north entrance off Harborside Dr.
- The Waverley Smith Pavilion entrance will close during
the renovation; a plan and staff will be in place to use the front entrance
of John Sealy Hospital to temporarily accommodate patients and expecting
mothers who would normally use the pavilion entrance.
- For safety and convenience, pedestrian walkways will be
built and maintained across the site.
- Although some street and surface lot parking will be
temporarily lost, access to the Sealy and Smith parking garage, Sealy and
Smith surface lot and Parking Garage One will be maintained throughout the
project.
* Please remember that
construction timetables are subject to variables such as weather. The university
and its contractors are always motivated to complete projects quickly, safely,
properly and with minimal disruption. We always appreciate your patience and
understanding as we work to build a better UTMB.
View from above
Street-level perspective
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