More than $1 billion later, the frenzy of building and renovation that has made construction commonplace on campus in recent years will soon come to an end.
During this summer alone, construction crews completed projects that cost the University about $55 million.
"This summer has been pretty productive - but we could have gotten a little more finished," said University Planner Fred Myer. "Things are pretty much done, but they were supposed to be all the way done by now."
Recent projects "essentially" completed were: the Angell-Haven Hall connector, renovations to East Hall and the Student Activities Building, and the construction of the Media Union on North Campus.
With the dust barely settled on those projects, several others are now under way, including the construction of the School of Social Work Building on the corner of East and South University avenues and the mostly completed East University pedestrian mall near the entrance to the Diag.
Later this year, crews expect to finish renovations on the C.C. Little Building and complete the new Cancer and Geriatrics Center and North Campus's $5-million Lurie Bell Tower.
This summer's work is part of an unprecedented increase in construction on campus that has cost more than $1 billion over the last five years, Myer said.
The most notable projects in that time have been around the Diag, including the completion of the Randall Laboratory, extensive renovations of Angell Hall and dramatic modernization of the Shapiro Undergraduate Library.
On North Campus, the carillon, Media Union, and new Industrial and Operations Engineering buildings have enlarged the campus.
Employees of the Shapiro Undergraduate Library said the renovations did more than just improve the appearance of a building once nicknamed for its ugliness.
"(The renovation) not only added space, it allowed us to completely modernize information services," said Barbara MacAdam, the former head librarian of the Undergraduate Library.
"It's a much better environment for study and research, not just aesthetically but informationally."
But all of the rebuilding and remodeling of campus has left some students dodging too many plastic orange fences, large trucks and workers in hard hats.
"It's annoying," said LSA junior Jeremy Moghtader. "This University has a demented desire to pave everything."
Myer said once these major projects are completed, the rate of construction will slow down considerably.
"There might be some students who will see grass in the next few years," he said. "You will see construction continue, but not at the same pace we have seen recently."
However, Myer said the University is planning to use state funds to renovate and modernize the LSA, Frieze, and Perry buildings in the future.
MARGARET MYERS/Daily
An Ann Arbor resident walks past construction on the corner of East University Avenue and South University Avenue, where the new School of Social Work Building is under construction.