A summer renovation project of UC Riverside’s Arts Building will help fix drainage problems at the site.

Since June, the building has been surrounded by fencing as construction crews began work.

The project involves removing concrete in some areas of the outside plaza level of the building. A new concrete surface has been added in these areas with more drains that have been increased in size to allow for a proper drainage, said Tameesha Hayes, a project manager with the Office of Planning, Design, and Construction. Areas of the new surface will be sloped to ensure consistent flow to the drains as needed, she said.

The project, expected to be completed later this year, will fix a long-standing problem with frequent leaks and water pooling in numerous locations. It also includes adding a new waterproof traffic coating system over the concrete.

The improvements continue efforts began with a project last year installing a new roof and stucco system to the Performance Lab, meant to help with roof leaks, repair the exterior, and improve the building aesthetic.

Built in 2004, the Arts Building stands out due to its angular design and prominent location near the campus entrance.

“The building is very unique to campus,” Hayes said. “It needed a lot of TLC.”