University of Akron Exchange Street Residence Halls

Client:

University of Akron

Location:

Akron, Ohio

Year:

2007

University of Akron Exchange Street Residence Halls

Project Name:

University of Akron Exchange Street Residence Halls

Role:

Site Work and Carpentry Subcontractor

Scope:

Responsible for site development including demo, grading, storm, sanitary, and water utilities for an 18,000 SF building pad; rough and finish carpentry, interiors, doors and hardware, and specialties installation throughout the new five-story building.

Living on campus at the University of Akron is comfortable, convenient, and full of amenities. Their award-winning residence halls are among the best in Ohio. Many are new and many have been renovated in recent years. Experience Living-Learning Communities, Emerging Leaders, dozens of events, and make new friends that last a lifetime!

Cavanaugh Building was the site development and general trades contractor on one of the largest buildings at the University of Akron’s main campus. The five-story structure, Residence Hall, is located just south and west of the main campus on East Exchange Street. One of the most challenging aspects of the project was the successful and timely installation of the roof system, which consisted of cold-formed metal trusses, metal deck, plywood, felt, and shingles over an area exceeding 50,000 square feet.

Making the task all the more difficult is the fact that work on the roof system could not begin until mid-October 2006.

Through the efforts of our superintendent and our talented carpentry crew, the building was completely dried in by the first of December; allowing interior finishes to proceed timely. The building was ready for students in the Fall of 2007 just as scheduled. The planning and effort of our staff resulted in another job well done.

Work That Speaks for Itself

We’ve completed a wide range of commercial projects—new construction, complex renovations, and everything in between. Each one reflects our commitment to doing the job right.

Young’s Truck Sitework

Cavanaugh completed early sitework for a new semi-truck maintenance, service, and sales facility. Scope included grading, clearing, mass earthwork, water utilities, gas utilities, storm sewers, sanitary sewers, final grading, and lawn restoration.

Wadsworth Memorial Park Sitework

Cavanaugh completed site improvements at Wadsworth Memorial Park, including installation of a storm sewer system and replacement of the old parking lot with a new parking area. The work included a new roadway between Ault St. and Grandview Ave., improving access to the new splash pad and playground. New concrete sidewalks were added, along with four shade pavilions with tables and benches between the splash pad and playground. Additional work included a new retaining wall behind the fire station, concrete pads for two new restrooms, and final site improvements with new fencing, shrubs, and trees.

Summit Metro Parks Valley View Water Access

Cavanaugh served as General Contractor for the new pavilion, restroom building, and river access point at Summit Metro Parks’ Valley View Area. The project was part of the transformation of the former golf course and the restoration of access to the Cuyahoga River. The timber-framed pavilion includes a large stone fireplace and chimney, a large gathering space, and operable barn doors. The restroom facility is a masonry structure with five single restrooms for parkgoers, along with a large maintenance and storage area. Cavanaugh also added a new parking lot for access to multiple trails and a ramp to the river for kayaks and canoes. The project also included a new playground, extensive native plantings, and open green spaces that help connect the site back to the surrounding park.

Summit Metro Parks Valley View Barn, Himelright Lodge

Cavanaugh served as General Contractor for the restoration and renovation of the Valley View barn, now known as Himelright Lodge. The 1800s-era bank barn had later been used as a clubhouse for the former Valley View golf course. After years of disrepair, it needed major restoration to bring the structure back to life as a rentable gathering facility for Summit Metro Parks. Construction included re-skinning the barn with structural panels to reinforce the existing structure, along with new exterior siding and a new standing seam metal roof. Inside, much of the existing structure was left exposed, and the concrete floor slab was polished to serve as the finished floor. Cavanaugh also completed electrical and lighting upgrades, added new restrooms, and installed new windows, doors, and a barn porch to bring in more light and improve the look and use of the space. Site work included an exterior courtyard behind the barn, a path for food truck parking, and extensive native plantings to give the facility a natural park setting.

Streetsboro City Hall

Cavanaugh served as Construction Manager at Risk for the new 15,000 sq. ft. Streetsboro City Hall. The long-planned project adds to the City of Streetsboro’s central municipal campus, which includes the fire station, splash pad, and future additions. Construction included cold-formed metal framing and joists, along with an exterior façade featuring stone, brick, metal panels, and extensive storefront glass. Interior features include a courtyard that brings natural light into the building, new council chambers with intricate wood finishes throughout, and multiple conference and meeting rooms. As CMAR, Cavanaugh supported pre-construction budgeting and value engineering beginning in January 2024. Construction began in October 2024 and was completed with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in January 2026.

Hoover High School Welding Lab

Cavanaugh converted an outdated auto mechanic shop into a modern, fully equipped welding lab. The renovation included selective demolition, interior painting, and heavy-duty epoxy flooring built for industrial durability. Structural and support work included masonry for a gas storage building, new concrete, and installation of a 2-ton jib crane to support material handling. The lab was outfitted with professional welding booths, high-performance welders, and an advanced welding air treatment and ventilation system to support safety and air quality. The finished facility provides a clean, durable, and highly functional environment for welding training and production-style work.

Hoover High School Fabrication Lab

Cavanaugh completed the renovation of an engineering fabrication lab and classroom for North Canton City Schools. Work included selective demolition, interior painting, durable epoxy flooring, new overhead doors, and the mechanical, plumbing, and electrical upgrades needed to support updated engineering equipment. The renovated lab gives students and faculty a safer, more functional setting for hands-on learning and advanced fabrication work.

Akron Public Schools NIHF STEM Renovation

Cavanaugh completed the interior renovation of an existing elementary school, converting it into a modern high school STEM Academy for Akron Public Schools. Existing classrooms were repurposed into specialized learning spaces, including a chemistry lab, environmental science lab, biotech engineering lab, and biology lab. Work included interior painting, flooring, custom laboratory casework with chemical-resistant epoxy countertops, air and gas piping systems, and upgraded electrical infrastructure to support the demands of a STEM-focused curriculum. The finished space gives students and staff safe, modern, and engaging learning environments built for advanced studies in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Hudson Middle School

We performed the early site package for a new middle school including site demolition, earthwork and soil stabilization, storm sewer, sanitary sewer, and water line.

Summit County Public Health Fairway Storm & Sanitary Improvements

Replacement of the existing storm sewer and sanitary sewer systems out to Market Street including new detention ponds, concrete curbs & walks, new asphalt pavement, landscaping, and reworking of sanitary lines and roof drains inside the building.

Let’s Build Your Vision

Whether you’re developing a new corporate headquarters, healthcare facility, education center, or retail space, our Construction Manager at Risk services offer a more secure way to build. Contact us today to schedule a conversation or learn more about our CMAR project portfolio.