New NAU buildings

Applied Research and Development Building

Work is now focusing on the interior of what has been tagged NAU’s “signature building,” and the 60,000-square-foot, $25 million facility is on track for opening in late spring.

NAU is seeking a platinum rating for sustainable design from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building rating system.

Dining expansion

A plan to expand the University Union’s dining space will add about 200 seats and increase the union’s frontline cooking space. Crews are slated to break ground in late spring on the property adjacent to Java.com and the Fieldhouse, connecting the building’s addition to both parts of the union.

“The project is still in the design phase,” said Mark Flynn, executive director of Capital Assets and Services, adding that once it’s approved the expansion could be completed as soon as summer 2008.

New residence hall

Construction will begin this semester on a new suite-style residence hall in the heart of campus in the space between the Gateway Student Success Center and Raymond Hall. Flynn said planners are “very active” in the design process, which will likely be a three-story building that could house between 350-400 students in similar suite style as Gillenwater and Raymond halls.

Conference center

Flynn said crews are working “feverishly” on the hotel-conference center complex, and recently completed delivery of electricity to the site. He said “dramatic changes” will begin to take place above the ground now that the foundation work is complete and work can begin on the complex’s structures.