Physical Sciences District Improvements Begin
First step begins after commencement, step two begins in August
Anyone who has passed between the Chemistry Building and Annex, Bainer Hall and Roessler Hall knows it's one of UC Davis' busiest crossroads. At peak times, it feels like a carefully choreographed dance, with pedestrians, bicyclists and scooter riders all moving toward different destinations at once.
The district has undergone significant change in recent years, including the construction of an addition to the Chemistry Building, the transformation of the former Physical Sciences Library into the Physical and Data Sciences Building as well as multiple seismic improvements. With those major projects now complete, UC Davis can turn its attention to the spaces between the buildings.
This summer marks the beginning of the Physical Sciences District Improvements, a long-planned effort to transform aging pathways, landscapes and former construction staging areas into welcoming, well-defined spaces that improve safety, circulation and the overall campus experience.
"What people see today are remnants of years of construction activity, coupled with remnants of site and landscape design work from the 1960s that no longer meets the needs of our growing and changing campus," said Christina DeMartini Reyes, campus landscape architect. "It was necessary to wait until the major building projects in the district were complete before we could realize our vision for this area."
Step One: Roessler x Bainer Make-Ready Project
Mid-June through July
What to know now
Path closure: The pathway between the southeast corner of Bainer Hall and the northwest corner of Roessler Hall will be closed. Use the temporary detour along the south side of Roessler Hall to walk your bikes, scooters and skateboards safely through this zone.
Building access: Access to Bainer and Roessler Hall will not be impacted, but bike parking will be significantly reduced in the area for most of the summer.
The first phase of work begins after commencement and continues through July. Designed and managed by Facilities Management’s Landscape Architecture and Site Planning team, the majority of the work will be installed by Facilities Management's in-house Masonry crew with assistance from their Utilities and Grounds teams. The Roessler x Bainer Make-Ready Project prepares the area for the larger Chemistry District Site Improvements project, expected to begin in August.
This project focuses on improving circulation between Bainer and Roessler Halls through the construction of better-defined bicycle routes with improved sightlines, enhanced lighting and clearer separation between pedestrians and bicyclists. Bollards will be installed in key locations to prevent unauthorized vehicle access while preserving access for emergency responders and campus operations. Together, these improvements will help maintain circulation during construction while preparing the area for the next phase of work.
Step Two: Chemistry District Site Improvements
What to know now
South of Chemistry Building
The gravel and asphalt areas will be transformed with separated bike and pedestrian paths, climate-ready trees, stormwater swales and space for future seating.
Between Roessler Hall and the Physical and Data Sciences Building
This area includes improved bike parking, a pedestrian promenade, climate-ready trees and clearer bike connections.
South of the Physical and Data Sciences Building
This area will be enhanced with new landscaping and site amenities.
Detours
Information about pathway closures and detours will be shared as construction progresses.
August 2026-Summer 2027
(Plan image coming soon.)
The Chemistry District Site Improvements project builds on the foundation established during the make-ready phase. Areas that today consist of former construction staging areas, gravel pads, deteriorating pavement and aging landscapes will be transformed with separated bike and pedestrian infrastructure, improved site lighting, additional trees, drought-tolerant plantings, stormwater-friendly swales and better access for emergency response vehicles.
The project is the result of years of planning led by Design and Construction Management's Campus Planning team and Facilities Management's Landscape Architecture and Site Planning team in partnership with Transportation Services, Safety Services, campus Fire Marshals, the UC Davis Fire Department and other stakeholders.
"Our goal wasn't just to repair what construction left behind," said Mayton Xu, associate campus landscape architect. "We wanted to understand how the district functions today and how it should function in the future. Every pathway, planting area, bike parking location and gathering space was considered as part of a larger system that helps people move safely while creating places where they will want to spend time."
Design and Construction Management is now moving that vision into construction, with Engineering Project Manager Karen Park overseeing project delivery through summer 2027.