Since 2005, UNC Charlotte has invested more than $1.1-billion (with a “B”!) in new construction and renovation of facilities and infrastructure, including projects currently under construction or which will start this year. With this level of activity, there’s always a lot to talk about in terms of construction updates.

UNC Charlotte’s newest residence hall, Levine Hall, was dedicated during a campus ceremony on April 13. Located near the main entrance to campus, Levine Hall houses more than 400 students in the Levine Scholars Program and the Honors College, as well as the administrative offices for both programs. Levine Hall is named for Sandra and Leon Levine, two of the Charlotte region’s most generous philanthropists and two of UNC Charlotte’s biggest supporters. Through their foundation, the Levines have committed more than $18 million to the Levine Scholars Program which began in 2009.

Alumni have been generous to UNC Charlotte in many ways, including campaign gifts to boost facilities and programs. Did you know a college, four buildings, and a promenade on campus have been named in honor of 49er alumni? They include:

Hunter (’88) and Stephanie (’86) Edwards Promenade (within Richardson Stadium)

Hauser Alumni Pavilion [David (’77) and Nancy (’77) Hauser]

Vickie (’71) and Gene (’73) Johnson Band Center

Dhiaa Jamil (’78) Niner Student Pantry

Karen A. Popp (‘80) and Demond T. Martin (‘97) Student Union

Cato College of Education [John Cato (’73)]

A new $63.5 million Health and Wellness Center is scheduled to begin construction this summer on what is now Parking Lot 19. This 140,000-square-foot facility will include aerobic and weight training rooms, group fitness areas, multipurpose courts, a recreational pool, and space for the administration of intramural and recreational programs.

Expect outdoor wireless coverage to increase significantly thanks to additional wireless access points being installed throughout campus. Students will be able to finish research papers and study for exams in lots of our outdoor spaces. Halton Arena, too, will soon offer fast, reliable wireless service to its thousands of visitors each year. Expect the wireless installations to be completed this fall.

Work on the Charlotte Research Institute entrance at Institute Circle and North Tryon will provide an enhanced “sense of arrival” to the University, similar to the main entrance at University City Boulevard. Construction will begin in late summer. The scope of work includes a UNC Charlotte sign, brick columns, and enhancements to pedestrian access.

A major renovation of the second high-rise residence hall in South Village, Scott Hall, is underway. Renovations of the final two high rises, Moore and Sanford, are planned for 2019 and 2020, respectively.

The long-awaited revitalization of Belk Plaza will start in September and take about six months to complete. The project includes a “Great Lawn” and a unique water feature.

Work will also start this summer on a new Facilities Operations and Parking and Transportation Services complex located near North Deck. The complex includes a new warehouse for Receiving and Stores. It is necessary to move these functions from their current location at Mary Alexander and Craver Roads to make room for the new Science Building.

Three important projects will be completed this summer. First, the repurposing of the old Residence Dining Hall (RDH) into administrative offices for Housing and Residence Life and the catering kitchen will finish in July. Secondly, the new Student Counseling Center, located adjacent to the Student Heath Center, will be completed in August. That move paves the way for an expansion of the University Career Center in the Atkins Building. Finally, renovation of the Burson Building will conclude in August with a fresh look to the old 1980-style chemistry and physics classrooms and much-improved air conditioning.

Phase 1 of the Academic Complex renovation concludes with the Denny Building, which is expected to be finished in December. Phase 2, Macy and Barnard, will begin late this summer. Employees in these buildings will move temporarily to the Cedar and Hickory buildings. This project is revitalizing some of our oldest classroom buildings to serve the campus for the next 30 years.

The 49ers have announced plans to construct indoor training/hitting facilities for baseball and softball. The two upgrades will cost approximately $1.2 million. Fundraising for the projects is going well with approximately 75% of the monies raised. The baseball facility will be down the right field foul line inside Robert & Mariam Hayes Stadium. The softball facility will sit across the culvert that runs outside the facility on the right field side.

In addition, the 49ers have begun construction on the expansion of the Stubblefield Golf Center at Rocky River Golf Course to make room for the 49ers Women's Golf Team, which makes its debut this fall. The expansion is expected to be complete in September.

No construction report would be complete without an update on UNC Charlotte’s largest project ever – the $101 million Science Building. This state-of-the-art interdisciplinary facility, to be located at the corner of Mary Alexander and Craver Roads, will be home to instruction and research in chemistry, physics, and biology. Design is underway and expected to take approximately one and a half years, with construction starting in late 2018 and occupancy slated for late 2020.

Visit the Five-year Capital Construction Plan website for schedule updates on these and other projects.

The interactive campus map is an excellent resource for navigating campus. Real-time updates will show restrictions caused by construction.