FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Construction begins Monday, March 10, 2003, on the new south parking deck on the University of Arkansas Campus. Upon completion, the nine-story cast-in-place concrete facility, housing well over 2,000 cars, will be the largest in the state. The new deck will be located west of Duncan Street, south of Williams (two blocks south of Dickson St.) and east of Buchanan.

Initial work will include fencing of the work site, and start of demolition of the few remaining structures in the footprint of the deck. Utility relocation will also begin at this time and drivers are asked to consider alternate routes, in and around the deck. Pedestrian traffic on these streets directly surrounding the construction area will also experience some impediments. Excavation and haul-off of materials, employing several routes to the south, and making primary use of 6th Street, will begin within the next few weeks.

"The University has requested that all construction traffic stay south of Dickson, to the fullest extent possible, to minimize effect on University and City of Fayetteville operations," Rick Hamilton, UA Construction Coordinator, said.

During the construction, there will be a number of innovative and state-of-the-art construction elements being employed to accomplish the build. The expected completion date of the deck is before the end of 2004. Precision blasting will be used in very small blasts occurring up to twice a day, to unearth nearly 50,000 tons of rock to allow for the lower levels of the deck.

"This deep excavation will help to maintain a lower profile, in respect for the Fayetteville-wide views of this important UA Promontory," Hamilton said. The UACDC has been tremendous in assisting layout and design to best serve our growing campus with some adequate parking, while respecting the important aesthetic heritage of the University of Arkansas."

The nine-story garage will use post-tension type construction, greatly reducing the weight and bulk of older style concrete decks, and, unlike most parking decks, will have a light-colored ceiling, with heights of over 11 feet at most places, and an open center-shaft to provide additional light and ventilation. Structural advances include construction of an open cavity system surrounding the deck, but discretely bridged-over to provide an even-grade aesthetic. The construction includes three "fast service" elevators, and a two-story transit facility, complete with some prime ground-level lease space for retail/commercial development.

Later this month, or in early April, there will be a public meeting to provide information on the precision blasting to be used. Actual blasting is expected to start in late April of this year.

"The University of Arkansas's Physical Plant, and Transit and Parking, extend sincere apologies to those students, staff, and neighbors who may experience some inconvenience during this construction," Hamilton said. "We will be constant in our commitment to minimizing the level of intrusion."

To help in offering the "heads-up" information to persons that may be affected, information about the deck, and its progress, will be released at regular intervals during construction.