Summer Construction Projects Deliver Wide-Ranging Campus Improvements at University of Nevada Las Vegas

The start of a new academic year at University of Nevada Las Vegas brings more than new schedules and familiar faces. Across campus, students, faculty, and staff are returning to smoother roadways, cooler classrooms, renovated study spaces, and expanded facilities—the result of an intensive summer construction season led by Facilities Management and Planning & Construction.

These summer construction projects addressed aging infrastructure, improved accessibility, and prepared high-use spaces for the demands of the fall semester. Here is a detailed look at what changed across UNLV over the past few months and what these campus improvements mean for the university community.

Inside UNLV’s 2026 Summer Construction Season

Summer is the busiest and most strategic window for university construction work. With fewer students on campus, crews can complete disruptive projects—roof replacements, HVAC overhauls, roadway repairs—without interrupting classes or daily operations. At UNLV, the 2026 season followed that pattern, with teams from Facilities Management and Planning & Construction coordinating projects ranging from major system replacements to small but meaningful upgrades.

The scope of the work reflects a broader reality for universities across the USA: campus infrastructure requires continuous investment. Buildings constructed decades ago need updated mechanical systems, outdoor spaces must accommodate new forms of transportation like e-scooters, and accessibility standards continue to evolve. The projects completed this summer at University of Nevada Las Vegas touch nearly every corner of campus life, from how students travel between classes to the temperature inside lecture halls.

Tarkanian Way Repairs Strengthen a Primary Transportation Corridor

Drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists traveling near the Thomas & Mack Center are greeted by completed roadway repairs and refreshed pavement markings along Tarkanian Way, one of the university’s primary transportation corridors. The maintenance project extended the lifespan of the roadway while improving traffic flow and safety for everyone who uses it.

Beyond the immediate visual improvement, the work reduces long-term maintenance needs—a practical example of how proactive repairs save money over time. All roads and parking areas affected by the project reopened in July, well ahead of the semester’s start.

Rebel Route Pilot Supports Safer Travel for Scooters and Bikes

Wheeled conveyances—scooters, bicycles, skateboards, and similar devices—have become a common sight on college campuses nationwide. UNLV is responding with the Rebel Route, a pilot designated-lane system along portions of the Academic Mall designed to separate wheeled traffic from pedestrians in some of the busiest areas of campus.

The L-shaped route connects the Student Recreation and Wellness Center with Hospitality Hall and continues between Hospitality Hall and the Student Union. By testing how designated lanes perform in real conditions, university planners hope to identify safer movement patterns before potentially expanding the system.

New Parking and Indoor Signage for Wheeled Conveyances

The pilot project also addressed a persistent pain point: where to park. Approximately 38 new scooter parking racks were installed at 15 locations, placed alongside existing bicycle parking near residence halls and heavily used destinations including the Student Union, Lied Library, Student Recreation and Wellness Center, Hospitality Hall, and the Student Services Complex.

Indoor navigation received attention as well. New signage at nine campus buildings provides guidance for wheeled conveyances, reinforcing UNLV’s wheeled conveyance policy, which prohibits riding these devices inside university buildings. Personal assistive mobility devices used because of a disability are not considered wheeled conveyances under the policy.

Share your input: University officials are actively collecting feedback on the Rebel Route pilot. If you use the new lanes or have thoughts on how they could work better, submit your comments through UNLV’s wheeled conveyance feedback form to help shape the program’s future.

Grant Hall HVAC Replacement Ends Years of Temperature Swings

Anyone who taught or studied in Archie C. Grant Hall before this summer knows the challenge: classroom temperatures that could swing from 74 to 90 degrees, forcing instructors and students to rely on portable air conditioners and fans during outages. That era is over.

In June, Facilities Management completed a major HVAC replacement at Grant Hall, swapping out 17 aging units that served 10 rooms and roughly half of the building’s total square footage. The new energy-efficient systems came with upgrades to ductwork, equipment mounts, electrical service lines, and disconnect switches. Crews tested and commissioned the equipment before returning it to service.

The results have been immediate. Occupied spaces now maintain a steady 74-degree temperature, portable cooling units have been removed, and the building offers reliable climate control for the first time in years.

Barrick Museum Roof Replacement Protects Art, Equipment, and Budgets

At the Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art, recurring roof leaks and aging mechanical equipment had reached the end of their useful life. Planning & Construction launched a comprehensive roof and mechanical system replacement designed to protect both the museum’s collections and the university’s long-term operating budget.

The project required careful execution. Crews removed the existing roofing system—including asbestos-containing materials—down to the original metal deck. Once work began, they found a structurally compromised ceiling system, which required complete removal of unsafe ceiling materials and installation of new energy-efficient LED lighting.

The finished roof features a PVC membrane that creates a watertight barrier, along with tapered insulation that improves energy efficiency while directing rainwater toward drainage points. The roof carries a 20-year warranty. Two new 30-ton air-conditioning units replace the museum’s aging rooftop equipment, delivering better climate control for the art and artifacts inside. Construction continues through September 30, with the finished product promising a more weather-resistant and energy-efficient building.

Boyd School of Law Renovations Refresh Academic and Professional Spaces

Students at the William S. Boyd School of Law returned to noticeably upgraded surroundings this fall. Planning & Construction completed a series of renovations updating academic spaces, student organization rooms, and gathering areas throughout the building.

Moot Courtroom and Lobby Upgrades

The work included renovations to the Society of Advocates and Journal rooms, with new furniture, storage, and workspace layouts designed to support demanding student work. The main BSL lobby and Moot Court lobby received new furnishings as well.

In the Thomas & Mack Moot Courtroom—a space where students practice the courtroom skills central to their legal education—Facilities Management replaced worn carpeting with new commercial-grade flooring. The change refreshes the room’s appearance while eliminating potential trip hazards and providing a more durable surface for daily use.

These renovations represent the latest phase of improvements that began in 2025, which also updated the student lounge and breakroom, the bridge and adjacent lounge area, and the second-floor lobby and rotunda. Together, the phased projects have created more flexible spaces for studying, collaborating, gathering, and preparing for professional work.

Marlow Early Childhood Education Campus Doubles Its Capacity

One of the summer’s most consequential projects extends beyond the university’s traditional student population. The Marlow Early Childhood Education Campus expanded significantly, doubling its existing capacity for children ages 3 to 5 and adding more than 11,000 square feet across two buildings.

Planning & Construction partnered with Las Vegas-based KGA Architecture on the design. Building 8 includes a new campus entry and lobby, a parent resource room and library, a family and staff wellness room, a conference room, and two classrooms with outdoor gardens. Building 7 adds two additional classrooms with outdoor gardens, and the project includes two new outdoor play structures.

Interior design details reflect thoughtful planning for young children. UNLV’s Interior Design team worked with KGA to incorporate colors inspired by the desert landscape, child-sized seating, books placed at eye level, and accessible pathways that support independent learning while making the buildings easier to navigate for people with strollers.

ADA-Compliant Restrooms Arrive at Alta Ham Fine Arts

Accessibility took a major step forward at Alta Ham Fine Arts, where Facilities Management converted the southwest wing’s multi-user restrooms into ADA-compliant single-user facilities. Completed in July, the renovation addressed underlying infrastructure as well—crews relined a failed sanitary pipe system and updated rough plumbing before constructing the new layout.

New plumbing fixtures, grab bars, lighting, occupancy sensors, and durable finishes complete the renovation, resulting in a more accessible and functional space designed for long-term use.

Small-Scale Projects With Everyday Impact

Not every summer project involved major construction. Several smaller improvements target spaces that students, faculty, and staff use every day:

• Frank and Estella Beam Hall stairwells: Four stairwells received new paint and protective coatings, including anti-slip additives on stair treads. The improvements increase traction, restore worn surfaces, and add durable finishes suited to heavy foot traffic.
• Student Union Food Court: Aramark, UNLV’s food service partner, collaborated with Planning & Construction’s Interior Design team on a furniture remodel, creating a more comfortable and welcoming dining area ahead of the fall semester.
• Thomas T. Beam Engineering Complex, classroom 107: Aging, loose, and previously removed seating was replaced with new securely anchored seats, restoring seating capacity and addressing safety concerns.
• Academic Mall hydration station: A new outdoor drinking water and bottle-filling station was installed between Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall and the William D. Carlson Education Building. The station was added at the request of CSUN to improve student access to drinking water and support sustainability goals.

Have a suggestion? These projects show that student input shapes campus priorities. If you have ideas for future improvements, share them with university facilities teams—many of this summer’s upgrades began as community suggestions.

Behind-the-Scenes Infrastructure That Keeps UNLV Running

Some of the summer’s most important work happened in spaces most campus visitors never see. At the Central Desert Complex, exterior extension ladders were replaced with fixed roof-access ladders, new security gates now limit unauthorized roof access, and expanded concrete landings provide safer access for maintenance personnel. The project standardizes roof access and supports safer long-term building maintenance.

At the Operations and Maintenance Warehouses 3 and 4, Facilities Management installed a new radiant barrier—a heat-reflecting membrane—across ceiling areas where existing material had deteriorated or fallen. The work restored continuous coverage, secured sagging insulation, improved thermal performance, and eliminated hazards associated with falling insulation, creating a cleaner and safer work environment for the employees who support campus operations.

What These Campus Improvements Mean for the UNLV Community

Taken together, the 2026 summer construction projects reflect a coordinated strategy with clear themes:

• Safety: Anti-slip stair treads, secure classroom seating, roadway repairs, and safer roof access all reduce risk across campus.
• Accessibility: ADA-compliant restrooms and stroller-friendly design at the Marlow campus make UNLV more welcoming to everyone.
• Sustainability: Energy-efficient HVAC systems, LED lighting, improved insulation, and new hydration stations reduce energy use and single-use plastic waste.
• Long-term value: Projects like the Tarkanian Way maintenance and the Barrick Museum roof replacement—with its 20-year warranty—reduce future repair costs.

For students evaluating universities, these investments signal something important: University of Nevada Las Vegas maintains its facilities actively rather than reactively. Well-maintained campuses support better learning environments, safer travel, and a stronger sense of community pride.

Plan your route: New to campus or returning after time away? Explore the UNLV campus maps to familiarize yourself with updated roadways, new scooter parking locations, and the Rebel Route pilot lanes before your next visit.

Stay Informed About Future Projects at UNLV

Construction and maintenance at a major university is ongoing work. The projects completed this summer will be followed by new initiatives as infrastructure ages and campus needs evolve. Staying informed helps students, employees, and neighbors plan around temporary disruptions and take full advantage of new facilities.

The UNLV News Center regularly publishes updates on campus improvements, and Facilities Management welcomes feedback on completed and upcoming projects. Whether you are a current student with thoughts on the Rebel Route, a parent interested in the Marlow Early Childhood Education Campus, or a community member curious about construction near the Thomas & Mack Center, multiple channels exist to learn more and make your voice heard.

Join the conversation: Have you noticed the new campus improvements around University of Nevada Las Vegas? Share your experiences in the comments below, or submit a story idea to the UNLV News Center to suggest future coverage of campus projects.