Construction is about to begin on the University of Utah’s new Applied Sciences facility.  The project will restore and renovate the historic William Stewart building and construct an addition to the building on the west side, adjacent to University Street.  Construction will start in early October.

This important project will provide new and updated space to serve the University of Utah’s educational and research mission.  It will serve as the new home for the Departments of Physics & Astronomy and Atmospheric Sciences, focusing on aerospace, semiconductor technology, biotechnology, data science, hazardous weather forecasting, and air quality. Together, the two departments teach more than 5,600 students. See why the University of Utah College of Science is so excited about launching this project.

New construction will provide a 56 percent increase in experimental and computer lab capacity. There will be 40,700 square feet of renovated space in the historic Stewart Building and a 100,00 square foot new addition.  The project will preserve and restore the historic character of the William Stewart Building while introducing a modern yet complementary design for the new addition. The new building’s exterior finishes will resemble the latest addition to the Crocker Science building next door.

Tree protection plans are in place, and the project team has taken steps to ensure the safety and preservation of Cottam’s Gulch, which will remain open and accessible during construction. In addition, the project team is working with Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theater leadership to ensure construction does not affect theater activities.

What to expect and construction impacts

• Project construction timeline:  October 2022 – August 2024
• Construction hours are 7 am – 7 pm
• The installation of six-foot-tall construction fencing around the project site will begin the second week of October
• The existing rock wall near the University Avenue sidewalk will be dismantled for the duration of construction and restored when construction nears completion.
• Construction traffic will enter and exit the project site via University Street; Full-time road flaggers will be in place to assist with traffic safety and flow
• Sidewalks directly east of the Stewart building will be closed; signage will be in place to direct pedestrians east of the construction zone around the Life Sciences building

The traffic and pedestrian map is available on the Applied Sciences building construction project website.