Early Bird

Steam to Natural Gas Conversion update

The Auraria Campus project is on schedule to be complete at the end of September.

By Lindsey Coulter

August 17, 2020

The Auraria Campus Steam to Natural Gas Conversion project is on schedule to be complete at the end of September.

General contractor Phipps continues to work diligently to have hot-water service restored by the start of classes today. The only locations that will experience delays are the west wing of the Science Building and Cherry Creek due to delayed meter installations by Xcel Energy. The date for hot-water restoration in those buildings may be as late as Aug. 27.

Building heat is not scheduled to be restored campuswide until mid-September. Heat may be on at the earlier dates shown, but the entire system will be going through commissioning and testing through mid-September. The contractor will be able to heat the buildings should cold temperatures arrive earlier.

Xcel Energy has mostly completed gas-line installation except for hardscape repairs in front of the Science Building, which will happen before the end of the month.

Tivoli Commons:

Work will continue for approximately two weeks to repair an irrigation mainline near the Quad. 

Boulder Creek:

Phipps will work to have hot water restored by today. Boiler startup activities will also begin today, and heat should be restored by Aug. 31. Please note that heating will be possible, but commissioning and testing will go on through September. Work on the building is scheduled for completion Sept. 20.

Plaza:

Work will continue on the interior landing from the Penthouse to the third floor, and the stairwell now in fabrication will be installed over a weekend to avoid further impacts. Heat should be restored by Aug. 31. Please note that heating will be possible, but commissioning and testing will go on through September. Contractors will continue using a scaffold stair tower on the east side of the building for Boiler Penthouse work thru Friday. Work on the building is scheduled for completion Sept. 18.

Note: Plaza Health Center has electric water heaters and will not experience a hot-water outage.

PE:

Hot water has been restored, and a new staircase will be installed by mid-September to replace the temporary staircase. Contractors will continue using a scaffold stair tower on the south side of the building for Boiler Penthouse work through Friday. Heat should be restored by Aug. 31. Please note that heating will be possible, but commissioning and testing will go on through September. Work on the building is scheduled for completion Sept. 17. The sidewalk that was damaged during gas-line installation on the south side of PE in Lawrence Way will be removed and replaced, so loud demolition activities will be occurring over next couple of weeks.

Arts:

Hot water and natural gas to the kiln room have been restored. Heat should be restored by Aug. 31. Please note that heating will be possible, but commissioning and testing will go on through September. Work on the building is scheduled for completion Sept. 11.

Central Classroom:

Crews will complete the boiler startup Wednesday. Heat should be restored by Aug. 31. Please note that heating will be possible, but commissioning and testing will go on through September. Work on the building is scheduled for completion Sept. 14.

West Classroom:

Crews will complete the boiler startup today. Heat should be restored by Aug. 31. Please note that heating will be possible, but commissioning and testing will go on through September. Work on the building is scheduled for completion Sept. 21.

Cherry Creek:

Gas-meter installation should be complete by Tuesday. Hot water will likely be restored by Aug. 24. A temporary star tower will be in place through Sept. 4, and new compressors will be installed the weekend of Aug. 29. Heat should be restored by Aug. 31. Please note that heating will be possible, but commissioning and testing will go on through September. Work on the building is scheduled for completion Sept. 29.

Science:

Work will include continued piping installation in the Mechanical Room. Concrete exterior stairs will be poured, and new railings for an additional exit out of the Mechanical Room should be delivered by the end of August. Acoustic panels are on order for Room 1067. Vivarium work continues through Friday. The Vivarium’s 180-degree water source will not be affected. Xcel Energy will install a gas meter Thursday. A three-day gas outage will affect Bunsen burners, but exact dates of work are yet to be determined. Crews will communicate more on this impact and will aim to complete work over Friday afternoon into Saturday to reduce impact. Hot water will be restored Aug. 27. Heat should be restored by Aug. 31. Please note that heating will be possible, but commissioning and testing will go on through September. Work on the building is scheduled for completion Sept. 29.