Avenue of Champions to close for two months

Motorists beware: Starting Monday, Avenue of Champions from South Limestone to Lexington Avenue will be closed for two months because of construction on the $200 million University of Kentucky Student Center.

The closure will allow space for underground utility construction. UK officials said Lexington Avenue will remain open to traffic. Martin Luther King Boulevard will be open for deliveries to Good Samaritan Hospital but cars will not be able to access Avenue of Champions. Patterson Drive will change to two-way traffic for emergency vehicles, but no parking will be allowed.

“We appreciate everyone’s patience during this necessary closure to facilitate important utility work as part of the Student Center project,” said Mary Vosevich, UK vice president for facilities management.

Demolition of much of the old Student Center started last year. The new building will have 365,000 square feet, more than double the former building’s 140,000 square feet. Architects saved the original ballroom and the Great Hall, built in 1938.

The opening is scheduled for January 2018. The project architects are Perkins+Will of Atlanta and Omni Architects of Lexington.

Across the street from the student center is more construction. The new $84 million residence halls, Limestone Park I and II, will open this fall, along with a $15 million renovation of the nearby Patterson Hall. A $110 million science building on Rose Street will also open this fall.

This story was originally published May 11, 2016 at 2:58 PM with the headline "Avenue of Champions to close for two months."