The Law Quad and Burton Memorial Tower are familiar sights on campus, but chain link fences and cranes used for construction have been incorporated into the University landscape for the past several years.

The University is currently involved with 400 construction projects, Facilities and Operations spokeswoman Diane Brown said.

"We always have lab renovations going on ... a few rooms here a few rooms there," Brown said. "There's always something going on in the Chemistry, the North Campus Engineering and Kraus Buildings."

One of the largest projects on campus is the $200 million Palmer Drive Development project on Washtenaw Avenue and Huron Street, set to be completed in 2005. The Palmer Drive Development will be comprised of the Life Sciences Institute Building, the Undergraduate Science Instruction Center Building, the Commons Building and a parking structure.

Although this project is on schedule, Brown said alterations have been made to the complex's Walgreen Drama Center.

"(The Arthur Miller Theater) won't fit where it's designed to go," Brown said. "North Campus is a likely destination."

Construction and renovations of Haven and Mason Halls are also running on schedule. Brown said eight stories were added to Haven Hall, making it "difficult to tell when Mason stops and Haven starts."

"Haven Hall will be ready for occupancy around November," Brown said.

Once Haven Hall is finished, classes from Mason Hall can be moved there to help expedite the construction.

The Gerstacker Building on North Campus will create 30,000 square feet of new space for the High Bay Building. With a $9.7 million budget, Brown said 2,000 existing square feet were renovated while a sprinkler system was also put in.

"Gerstacker was originally scheduled to be complete in the spring, but (construction workers) ran into some surprises with excavation," Brown said.

Renovations of Hill Auditorium are also in progress.

Hill closed in the spring for extensive renovations, plumbing, heating and electrical improvements. The number of seats will be reduced from 4,200 to 3,700 when the venue reopens in 2004.

Some students are frustrated with the on-going construction and said they feel it is moving at a sluggish pace.

"I guess we should appreciate that (the University) is concerned about how the campus looks, but it's ridiculous that you can't walk across the Diag without walking into fences," LSA junior Laura Platt said.