Construction behind the Red Bricks dorms is projected to end fall 2026 as part of an ongoing plan to bring more student housing on Cal Poly’s campus. In the meantime, students struggle with sleeping and studying in dorms during construction.
As Cal Poly moves to require on-campus living for underclassmen starting next fall, the university continues its Future Housing Plan that will house over 500 students. The second phase of the university’s plan will house an additional 700 students within another building by fall 2027, according to Cal Poly’s website.
READ MORE: Cal poly to require two years of on-campus housing for all students
Construction occurs Monday-Friday from 7 a.m.-5 p.m., though work can be extended further into the evening and on academic breaks, University Spokesperson Koberl wrote to Mustang News, and University Housing provides residents with notices in advance during more “disruptive activities.”
The university advised most residents in the neighboring dorms to park in Structure 131, as well as other commuter spaces like H1, H12, H14 and H16 and Grand R3 and R4.
Cal Poly plans to add 3,500 new beds within the next ten years to support enrollment growth. Cal Poly currently has 22,000 undergraduate students and plans to reach 25,000 by 2030, according to previous Mustang News coverage.
READ MORE: Cal Poly wants to enroll 25k students by 2030
According Koberl, 735 parking spots for students and staff once sat where construction is now taking place. The university is planning to add 40 new street parking spaces along Poly Canyon Village and added 48 staff spaces to the Fleet Lot last fall.
Construction affecting student’s ability to sleep and to study
Students living in nearby residential halls are growing frustrated at the noise from the construction. Nutrition freshman Lucy Worms lives in Tenaya Hall and said the construction has been a constant disruption, especially to her sleep schedule.
”It’s definitely annoying getting woken up at 7 a.m. to stuff banging outside of your window,” Worms said. “I bought AirPods to sleep with but it’s still pretty loud, enough to wake me up.”
Dylan Smith, an architecture freshman who also lives in Tenaya Hall said the construction noise wakes her up often. The constant construction also makes studying in her room difficult.
“Normally, I stay home to study,” Smith said. “But now I usually go to Scouts and sit outside because it’s usually quieter.”
Chris Hamel, a computer science freshman living in North Mountain says the construction noise is ongoing throughout early mornings to late nights, causing sleep and study disruptions.
“Sleep schedules are getting messed up,” Hamel said. “I keep hearing noises until 10-11 p.m. [and this morning] I was woken up at 6 a.m. because I heard [the construction].”
Saranzaya Rice-Connor, a civil engineering freshman living in Red Bricks said the construction noise disrupts the study space of Santa Lucia’s common area and hinders accessibility to other areas of campus.
“It’s a pretty big thing for everyone to study in the common area,” Connor said. “People have tended to either work in the [University Union] or library [now].”
Construction also affecting mobility around campus
The construction closes sidewalks and paths. Connor says it is difficult to get to Vista Grande for food. Genevieve Blaney, a biology junior who lives in Cerro Vista said she often walks or bikes to class. Although she does not have a car, the construction still makes her routes to class difficult.
“Certain sidewalks would be unavailable when walking back [to Cerro Vista],” Blaney said. “It’s kind of unexpected. You kind of have to work your way around [the construction] when it can change [daily] depending on what they’re doing.”
Hailey Gomez, a computer science freshman living in North Mountain said the construction makes her living area a lot more congested as students tend to pass through walking to class, resulting in having to adjust her walking schedule.
“I try to leave earlier now to make sure that I don’t get stuck in traffic or in the construction,” Gomez said. “I’ve had to take other routes to get to certain places.”
Calvin Anderson contributed to this story.