The renovation and expansion of the Erb Memorial Union is on schedule and on budget, according to a recent update from the Lease Crutcher Lewis project managers.

The project’s schedule is intended to minimize any negative effects of construction on other areas of campus. The new-and-improved EMU is set to be unveiled in mid-2016, but the first several steps of construction will be completed this month.

The beginning of fall term was marked with the construction of a tower crane at the location, which has enabled workers to move materials more efficiently throughout the site. A mechanical penthouse is also expected to be completed near the middle of October, allowing for additional storage of heavy equipment.

Building a foundation for the new wing of the EMU is the main project for the next few weeks, with the construction of concrete footing and shear walls in anticipation of the installation of structural steel and shotcrete shoring walls toward the end of the month. Following those important additions, glulam wood framing will be built in.

As of Aug. 28, the main contractors finally received all remaining subcontractor bids. This development allows them to start the process of reviewing and analyzing the proposals in order to distribute remaining smaller work projects.

—By Nathaniel Brown, Public Affairs Communications intern