RIO GRANDE CAMPUS RENOVATIONS
By Paul Mason, Rio Grande Renovations Project Manager

Construction teams commemorated the topping-out of Rio Grande Campus on Wednesday, January 22. The event marked an important milestone for the project.

Interior
Inside Rio Grande Campus, Building 1000, crews continue to pull electrical cables and pipelines for plumbing fixtures in restrooms across all floors. At the south atrium, cloud ceiling steel supports have been hung from the steel roof structure. Fireproofing has been sprayed on the steel structure of the penthouse at roof level. Science lab exhaust steel supports are being welded at the roof. Lastly, metal decking has been applied to the penthouse roof, marking the highest point of new structure on the building.

Exterior
On Level 2, exterior wall spray foam was placed on all facades. Welding of steel roof supports was performed at both atriums and a crane erected the remaining roof-level penthouse steel framing. The science lab air handling units also were placed on the penthouse floor. On the south elevation, exterior metal clad wood windows were installed. Exterior window installation is nearly complete, with the exception of some special arched-shaped windows, which are special orders.The transformer vault foundation was poured and concrete back-up walls have been put up. The exterior brick veneer work has commenced.

Across the street, next to Rio Grande Building 3000, the emergency generator equipment was placed over the holidays. The concrete back-up walls have been put up on the generator enclosure. The exterior brick veneer work has also commenced.

HIGHLAND CAMPUS 2014 BOND PHASE 2
By Pamela Collier, ACC Highland Phase 2 Project Manager

Interior
Gas service is now on in the building and plumbing fixtures are being installed. Overhead utilities are still underway in the southern portion of the building. Restroom tilework is making progress, as well as carpet tile in many office suites and study rooms. Ceiling tile installation has begun and acoustic panels are currently in progress in the main corridors. Stair railings continue to be installed. Millwork, such as cabinetry and built-in reception desks, is being installed.

Exterior
The building exterior metal wall panel installation is still in progress. Exterior site grading and flatwork have begun.

HIGHLAND CAMPUS BUILDING 3000 AND SOUTH PARKING GARAGE
By Steven Scott, HLC Building 3000 and South Parking Garage Project Manager

Building 3000
Slabs have been poured on the first through fourth floors of the former Dillard's building. The first floor construction with studs, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing is ongoing. The new studio addition is under construction with steel structure being installed. This portion will be a shared space between Austin Community College and Austin-PBS. Exterior wall framing is installed on all sides and exterior sheeting, or paneling, is ongoing. Roof deck and waterproofing of the first floor retaining wall also are ongoing.

South Parking Garage
Construction on Phase 1 (North end) is progressing with all seven concrete floor levels poured. Barrier cables and conduits, pipes used to protect wiring or cables, are being installed. Additionally, the soil removed during construction is being replaced — a process known as backfilling — in the bike area on the north exterior wall. Canopy steel is in along the north entrances and the east driveway concrete paving and sidewalk are installed.

Construction on Phase 2 (South end) is progressing with pouring of the concrete floor for the seventh level and pouring the southeast stairs from the second to third levels.