Campus Planning

The Office of Campus Planning is responsible for capital construction and planning; space management and renovations; and capital and deferred maintenance budget oversight.

About

The Office of Campus Planning is responsible for the development and oversight of the University’s Master Plan and subsequent capital construction projects. This includes facilitating the development of the design and specifications to ensure compliance with University standards, permitting and regulatory compliance, and construction monitoring.

Space Requests

All departmental requests for new space, renovations (i.e. physical changes including permanently attaching anything to any surface or requiring any hard connection to any utility), and changes of assignment including vacating a space or changing the use of any space (i.e. double to single office, office to storage, office to research) should be submitted to the Space Committee by filling out the online form found at .

Maintenance Requests

Normal maintenance requests (painting, shelving, furniture repairs, etc.) should be requested using the Facilities Management Services through MaintainX Work Order System.

Capital and Deferred Maintenance Budget

The development and oversight of the University’s Capital and Deferred Maintenance Budget (CapDM) is coordinated through the Office of Campus Planning. Departments wishing to request capital funds for future fiscal years should submit their request during the annual CapDM submission period which occurs around October. Please email une-capdm-its-requests@une.edu with any questions about CapDM and ITS-related projects.

Capital Construction and Planning

Master Plans

Construction Projects

Girard Marine Science Center Year-round Research Pier

Biddeford Campus

The proposed Marine Science Research Pier is designed for year-round operation, significantly enhancing ocean-based classroom labs and extending research travel distances for faculty and professional staff. It will also provide increased access to Ram Island and the University’s kelp farms. The island’s enormous potential as a research field station will be fully utilized with the investment in a permanent pier and the enhanced access it will bring to faculty and students.

The permanent pier will serve as an essential enhancement to curriculum and research to support UNE’s recent program additions in Ocean Studies and Marine Affairs, Marine Entrepreneurship, Ocean Food Systems, and Sustainable Ecological Aquaculture. It will provide extensive hands-on learning opportunities and valuable collaboration between faculty and students.

The project is expected to complete the design and permitting phase in mid-2025, with an initial estimated construction completion in mid-to-late FY2026.

Learn more about the Research Pier

Notice of Availability of an Environmental Assessment for the University of New England Marine Research Pier project, Public Comment Period
5/27/2026 through 6/26/2026

The University of New England (UNE) announces the availability of an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Marine Research Pier to be constructed directly adjacent to the Arthur P. Girard Marine Science Center on its Biddeford campus at 11 Hills Beach Road, Biddeford, Maine.

To expand UNE’s unique experiential learning and research opportunities in the marine ecosphere, ³ÉÈË´óƬwill use United States Department of Commerce (USDOC) National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) funding to construct a permanent pier, which will serve as a four-season research deployment facility.

The proposed improvements would be funded by the USDOC NIST under the Congressionally-Identified Projects Program through the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Public Law 117-328).

Comments on the EA may be submitted during a public comment period starting 5/27/2026 and ending on 6/26/2026.

You can , or a hard copy is available on UNE’s Biddeford Campus and can be viewed by coordinating with Alan Thibeault at athibeault@une.edu.

Comments may be sent by mail to the University of New England, 11 Hills Beach Road, Biddeford, ME 04005, Attention: Alan Thibeault, or by email to athibeault@une.edu. Comments must be received by 6/26/2026 for consideration.

Alfond Center for Arts and Sciences

Biddeford Campus

Opened in 1996, the Alfond Center for Health Sciences has provided state-of-the-art academic space for programs in the College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM) and the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), serving ³ÉÈË´óƬwell for nearly three decades. However, the facility has had few renovations during that time, and its building systems, finishes, and fixtures are now due — or overdue — for renewal. With COM relocating to Portland, this is an ideal time to rejuvenate and repurpose the facility to reflect its new role as the Alfond Center for Arts and Sciences. As the primary academic building on campus, it cannot be taken completely offline, so the renovation will take place in three phases.

The project is in design now. Construction will be phased to support both the academic schedule and building availability. Phase 1 began in May 2025, and Phase 2 will start shortly after. Phase 3 is scheduled to begin in January 2026, with the renovations complete in early 2027.

Leonard Hall/College of Business Renovations

Biddeford Campus

The proposed renovation of Leonard Hall to serve as the home for the new College of Business is critical to the college’s success. The updated facility will provide the academic spaces needed to support anticipated programming and establish a College of Business presence on campus. The facility will be redesigned to face Hills Beach Road and will offer visibility of the interior from the street, further enhancing the College of Business’s identity.

The project is in design with an estimated construction start date in early 2026.

Decary Hall Renovations

Biddeford Campus

Decary Hall is the original academic and administrative building on campus. It also served as a residence hall in its original state. The building has undergone many renovations and has had several additions. While its functions have varied over the years, many of the finishes and systems have not been replaced or refreshed. There are many areas where concrete block walls are present, and the original slate chalkboards are still in use. This renovation will reposition/co-locate many student services to better meet the needs of students and refresh the appearance of this important facility.

The project is in design with an estimated construction start date in early 2026.

Ludcke Renovations

Portland Campus

Ludcke Auditorium is the landmark building within the Westbrook College Historic District. The exterior wooden facade of Ludcke Auditorium is in dire need of restoration, with its siding, trim, and windows demonstrating visible rot. The restoration of the facility will address these issues while also creating ADA-compliant meeting spaces. It will allow for the relocation of the campus bookstore and the addition of a new Grab and Go food court — timely improvements as the campus population is expected to grow by 33%.

The exterior renovation documents are complete, we have approval from the historical preservation board, and the exterior restoration work has commenced. The interior renovations are currently at the schematic design level. These drawings will need to be finalized before the start of construction, likely scheduled for early 2026.

For questions or concerns related to current projects, please email uneprojects@une.edu.

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