Peek Behind the Fences at Exciting Campus Construction Projects
Want to learn more about construction on campus?
From Aggie Square to Young Hall, get an overview of UC Davis Design and Construction Management's upcoming and ongoing projects across the university.
Between temporary fencing, detours and the chorus of jackhammers and other machinery around campus, there’s no denying UC Davis is in the middle of a construction wave. The payoff for these short-term disruptions (and your much appreciated patience) will be a safer, more sustainable, and more connected campus.
Here are four of Design and Construction Management's projects making the biggest impact right now:
Resnick Center for Agricultural Innovation
Just west of the Hutchison Drive and La Rue Road intersection, along a corridor that connects West Village to the core campus, the Resnick Center for Agricultural Innovation is under construction. Be sure to check out the beautiful glass façade with imprinted trees that was recently installed. With a planned opening in summer 2026, the exciting new facility will anchor the west entrance to campus while serving as a hub for agricultural research and collaboration. Read more about the new center.
The project not only includes the building itself, but also significant transportation infrastructure improvements. This includes adding a traffic signal to the Extension Center Drive and Hutchison Drive intersection, adding crosswalks across Hutchison Drive, and installing a two-way cycle track. These improvements will support increased traffic to the area while promoting safe travel for vehicles, pedestrians and bikes alike.
Campus impacts
While construction is underway, expect fencing, noise, pedestrian detours and occasional road closures – including an upcoming lane closure on Hutchison Drive from Oct. 13 to Nov. 21.
Seismic retrofits in central campus
The Social Sciences & Humanities Building, Sprocket Building, Voorhies Hall and Young Hall are undergoing crucial seismic renovations in accordance with the UC Seismic Policy. The retrofits go beyond earthquake safety to include safety and accessibility improvements, electrical, mechanical and elevator upgrades, painting, landscaping, restroom remodels and more. Construction is expected to be completed in all buildings by summer 2026.
Campus impacts
DCM’s project managers are coordinating with building occupants to minimize disruptions to classes and research during construction. In order to facilitate the renovations, buildings (and accompanying sidewalks) will undergo full or partial closures during portions of construction. A-frames are being utilized to reroute folks during these closures. Check the project pages to see updates that reflect current conditions in each building — the Social Sciences & Humanities Building, Sprocket Building, Voorhies Hall and Young Hall
The Big Shift
One of the largest components of the university's path to decarbonization is the Big Shift, a years-long, campus-spanning infrastructure project transitioning UC Davis away from fossil-fuel reliant heating. Learn more about the Big Shift and why it matters.
Campus impacts
Completing this project means laying miles of hot-water pipes across campus and updating utility systems in every building. Through summer of 2027, this construction will be concentrated in a pocket of campus between La Rue Road and California Avenue, north of Hutchison Drive. This means trenches will be dug on and along sidewalks, bike paths and roads, detouring traffic.
To get an overview of where trenches will be located and which buildings will be impacted, see the Big Shift interactive map, which shows active, completed and upcoming construction areas. You can also find out where active construction is using the project progress table, which also shows which step of construction each active site is undergoing and the latest estimated completion dates.
More housing in Segundo
The latest housing project on campus is a new building in a familiar area. Positioned among Segundo residence halls and adjacent to Primero Grove apartments, the Segundo Infill Housing project will be a five story complex that will be able to house nearly 500 students. This project is the latest in a concerted effort to expand housing on campus to support the growing student population and fulfill commitments made to the City of Davis. Read more about recent on-campus housing achievements.
Campus impacts
As the Segundo Infill Housing project goes vertical, most of the impact will be typical construction noise, limited to 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and dampened with sound blankets.
What it all means
Put together, these projects reflect a familiar tradeoff: disruption now for improvements later. New facilities cultivating new partnerships and cutting-edge research, safer buildings, greener infrastructure, and more student housing will all shape the campus for the current and next generation of Aggies.
So if you find yourself following a detour sign or walking past a construction fence, know that the work behind the minor inconvenience is creating a stronger, safer, more sustainable campus