Construction on the new academic building, Dundon-Berchtold Hall will begin Monday, Feb. 5, according to an email from Vice President of Operations Jim Ravelli. The new building is expected to be completed by May 2019.
The presence of contractors on campus will mean some temporary changes for the University of Portland community. According to Ravelli, expanded fencing around the construction site will eliminate some parking spaces near the Pilot House.
“Fencing will be expanded outward to include half the main road across from the Pilot House and towards Waldschmidt Hall. This will eliminate the sidewalk that extends from Shipstad to the roadway by Romanaggi Hall. The sidewalk next to Waldschmidt that runs in front of Christie will remain open for pedestrians,” Ravelli said. “We are also installing temporary walkways on the Shipstad side of the sequoias from Christie to the main drive.”
Due to the fencing, and the presence of tractors and other construction vehicles, Ravelli explained that the traffic pattern on campus will temporarily change. Now, instead of being able to turn around in the Waldschmidt parking lot, cars will only be able to enter through the main entrance and exit through the Kenna Hall exit. To help with confusion, Ravelli said a flagger will be present to remind drivers of the new traffic pattern.
Dundon-Berchtold Hall is the first academic building being constructed on campus since Franz Hall was built in 1995, and is being named for Amy Dundon-Berchtold and Jim Berchtold (‘63).
