Construction has yet to begin on the University of Louisville’s new Academic Center for Excellence, which is expected to be complete by September 2016. The bid process has been completed, with three local companies submitting estimates.
A formal groundbreaking ceremony was held in February, with a May construction start anticipated. That didn’t happen so the work will begin this summer if the project is to meet the deadline.
According a UofL website, three local companies submitted estimates for the project. They were Messer Construction, which bid $14,479,000, Wehr Construction, $15,227,700, and Abel Construction, $16,300,000.
The new facility it an addition to the existing stadium structure, and involves construction of a two level academic center at the south end of the main concourse of Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium. The two stories will be elevated above the existing berm south of the main concourse, below the existing South Terrace (Norton Terrace). Functions include a central dining/gathering area, kitchen, tutoring rooms, learning labs, group study areas, auditorium and offices.
Work includes connection to existing utilities, structural foundations, steel structure, masonry, aluminum curtain wall system, steel framed interior partitions, doors and hardware, finishes, two traction passenger elevators, a hydraulic service elevator, steel stairs, trash chute, fire suppression system, mechanical and electrical support facilities and systems.
Work also includes providing new fiber optic cable system and connecting it to the existing fiber optics cabinet north of Central Ave., and to the stadium’s main frame system in the basement area in the northwest corner of the stadium.