University Plaza Project
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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.

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. 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.

Feb 14, 2005  Pedestrian and vehicular routes outlined around University Plaza Project
On Wednesday, Feb. 16, crews will begin work on utilities and infrastructure on a new section of the University Plaza project, forcing the closure of Darrell Royal Blvd. to vehicles and pedestrians at the 5th St. intersection. Starting Wednesday morning, employees and students who park in the Sealy & Smith parking facility (Ampco) will have to use Harborside and proceed south on 6th St. to get to the parking garage entrance. Access to the adjacent Ampco surface lot is not changing; commuters may continue to access the lot via a turn from Holiday Drive to Market St.

PROJECT BACKGROUND
As the barricades have gone up around the east end of the UTMB campus for work on University Plaza, pedestrians have found themselves funneled through fences, wondering what was coming next. Now we know. Contractors will close the remaining areas of the work site Sept. 24. Protected routes for pedestrians are being laid out around the perimeter, and those are outlined above. Depending on your destination, it will likely be a longer walk. We apologize for this inconvenience, but your safety is important to us. We pledge to work quickly and to keep you informed about this project's progress. Here are some key points:

• The front door to the Waverley Smith Pavilion closed on Friday, Sept. 24 and will remain closed during construction. Signs are posted along the corridors directing people to the entrance at Jennie Sealy. A handicap access ramp has been built on the east side of Jennie Sealy.
• Temporary concrete sidewalks have been poured along the south side of 610 Texas Ave. and along the east side of the Sealy & Smith Parking Garage.
• The west-facing entrance to the Sealy & Smith Parking Garage also closed. Garage occupants will be able to access the garage on foot from the north east (rear). 
• Work has already begun on Darrell Royal St., which is being broken up for new utilities.  
• A temporary access point that was cut in the fence along Darrell Royal, near the Sealy & Smith Garage, has now closed for pedestrian safety.
• Construction will be taking place in the entire area between Waverley Smith Pavilion and the Sealy & Smith Parking Garage.
• Parking lots off Texas Ave. that get blocked by work on Texas Ave. will be accessible from Harborside Dr. via 6^th St.
• Access to the Sealy & Smith Parking Garage access will be maintained from Harborside via 6^th St.
• If you’ve been thinking about getting a pedometer and tracking your steps as part of a fitness program, it’s a great time to do it.

(New map as of Feb. 2005)

Can you get there from here? Pedestrian routes outlined around University Plaza Project

Updated Sept. 22, 2004  As the barricades have gone up around the east end of the UTMB campus for work on University Plaza, pedestrians have found themselves funneled through fences, wondering what was coming next. Now we know. Contractors will close the remaining areas of the work site Sept. 24. Protected routes for pedestrians are being laid out around the perimeter, and those are outlined above. Depending on your destination, it will likely be a longer walk. We apologize for this inconvenience, but your safety is important to us. We pledge to work quickly and to keep you informed about this project's progress. Here are some key points:

• NEW The front door to the Waverley Smith Pavilion will close at 6 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 24 and remain closed during construction. Signs will be posted along the corridors directing people to the entrance at Jennie Sealy. A handicap access ramp will be built on the east side of Jennie Sealy.
• Temporary concrete sidewalks have been poured along the south side of 610 Texas Ave. and along the east side of the Sealy & Smith Parking Garage.
• NEW The west-facing entrance to the Sealy & Smith Parking Garage will also close. Garage occupants will be able to access the garage on foot from the north, south and east (rear). 
• Work has already begun on Darrell Royal St., which is being broken up for new utilities.  
• NEW A temporary access point has been cut in the fence along Darrell Royal, near the Sealy & Smith Garage. This access point will need to close for pedestrian safety when work advances in the area.
• Construction will be taking place in the entire area between Waverley Smith Pavilion and the Sealy & Smith Parking Garage.
• Parking lots off Texas Ave. that get blocked by work on Texas Ave. will be accessible from Harborside Dr. via 6^th St.
• Access to the Sealy & Smith Parking Garage access will be maintained from Harborside via 6^th St.
• If you’ve been thinking about getting a pedometer and tracking your steps as part of a fitness program, it’s a great time to do it.

NEW Download maps
See the latest project illustrations (PDF)