A guide to the construction projects and changes to UC Davis since last year
Renovated buildings, pathways mark summer construction on campus
By RIVERS STOUT— campus@theaggie.org
Construction seems to be as synonymous with the UC Davis campus as rampant squirrels and the sounds of passing bikes. While many students were away this summer, construction on campus continued, and some work is still in progress.
Current ongoing projects range from the construction of new buildings to remodels of old ones, costing a total of $453.6 million in active construction, with another $103.3 million across ongoing projects in the study and design phase, according to UC Davis Construction and Design Management.
Most of the larger construction projects on campus have been related to a multi-year initiative by the UC Office of the President to minimize seismic risk at UC campuses. This includes seismic reinforcement projects at Voorhies Hall, Young Hall, the Sprocket Building (between the Student Housing and Dining Services office building and Cruess Hall) and the Social Sciences and Humanities building, also known as The Death Star.
Alongside the seismic improvements, some cosmetic and other changes have been made as well. The Death Star’s stair pit bordering A Street has been filled in to make a small plaza area, and the sidewalk adjacent to the North Quad bike path — which was closed for much of last year — has been reopened and renovated.
Nearby, Voorhies Hall has a new white and Aggie yellow paint job, with succulent and sapling landscaping to accompany it. Similarly, the Sprocket Building has a new paved entryway for vehicles and pedestrians.
The same seismic safety policy requires older buildings to be brought into compliance with California Building Codes and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Likewise, buildings have been brought up to National Fire Protection Association standards, including the installation of a new fire alarm system in the Social Sciences and Humanities building.
In total, the seismic improvements cost the university around $97.6 million. The funding comes from state operating funds enabled by the 2013-14 Budget Act, according to UC Davis. The act allows the UC to maintain and renovate long-term assets, such as buildings, using funds from the state outside of its annual budget with outside approval.
The CoHo West expansion at the Memorial Union remains in progress after a one-month delay, putting its completion close to the start of the academic year. Approved at the beginning of the 2024-25 academic year by then-ASUCD President Gaius Ilupeju, the expansion will add space for staff breakrooms, gender-neutral restrooms and increase patio seating. As of Sept. 2, construction is focused on remodeling the restrooms and is 95% complete as of time of publication, according to the university. The project had an allotted budget of $4.8 million and is expected to be completed this summer.
One of the larger projects on campus is the construction of a new dorm building in the Segundo area. Known as the Segundo Infill project, it is expected to open to residents in fall 2027. It is currently 72% complete and has a $100 million budget.
Approximately 400 to 600 students will occupy the building once complete, making it one of the largest dorms on campus. For comparison, Shasta Hall in the Cuarto Residence Area has an occupancy of about 800.
In the Physical Sciences District — an area encompassing the Chemistry Annex, Bainer Hall and Roessler Hall — construction has begun to improve bike and pedestrian pathways, landscaping and the area’s appearance. In the meantime, bike and pedestrian paths have been closed in the area, with some building entrances also being closed. A map of closed paths and still-usable entrances has been made available to students, and construction is expected to be completed sometime in summer 2027.
In front of the Activities and Recreation Center, or ARC, Parking Lot 25 is undergoing major renovations to improve safety and circulation. Improvements will include designated biking and pedestrian paths as well as more bike parking and new landscaping. The intersection of Orchard and La Rue roads, at the entrance to Lot 25, will experience periodic lane and crosswalk closures as a new crosswalk system is installed.
The bike path between Lot 25 and the Segundo Dining Commons has been temporarily closed and traffic redirected. The lot has been closed to parking all summer and is set to reopen on Sept. 18, though construction is expected to continue through winter 2027.
UC Davis’ transition to becoming fossil fuel-free can be seen nearby along Sprocket Bikeway on the north side of Cruess Hall. As part of the Big Shift initiative, some of Sprocket Bikeway has been closed while construction goes on outside Regan Hall.
The Resnick Center for Agricultural Innovation, named after California billionaires Stewart and Lynda Resnick who have donated $50 million to UC Davis, opened at the end of spring quarter and finished construction in June. The building holds multiple agricultural labs as well as a hub for the Wonderful Scholar program, a group of students supported by the Resnicks through college.
The project cost UC Davis $66.4 million, with $40 million of the Resnicks’ donation going directly toward the building’s construction.
Written by: Rivers Stout — campus@theaggie.org