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WNC Business

Four Major Projects Reflect UNC Asheville's Investment in the Future

Jul 14, 2026 02:34PM ● By WNC Business

The University of North Carolina Asheville continues to invest in the future of its campus through several major improvement projects designed to enhance teaching and learning spaces, expand accessibility, strengthen campus identity, and improve the student experience. They include renovating Lipinsky Hall, improving the entryway to Ramsey Library, building new tennis courts, and constructing new campus gateway signage. Together, these projects represent ongoing investments in the University's facilities and infrastructure while supporting the needs of current and future Bulldogs.

"These projects reflect UNC Asheville's continued commitment to investing in facilities that support student success, academic excellence, accessibility, and community engagement," said Chancellor Kimberly van Noort. "Each investment strengthens our campus while ensuring that our students, faculty, staff, and visitors benefit from spaces that meet the needs of today and the future."

Among the largest of these efforts is the comprehensive renovation of Lipinsky Hall, one of the University's primary academic and performance facilities. The project will modernize instructional, performance, and collaboration spaces while upgrading critical building systems to support future generations of students, faculty, and visitors.

The revitalized Lipinsky Hall will feature a state-of-the-art performance hall for concerts, lectures, and campus events; modern music technology labs; collaborative classrooms; acoustically optimized rehearsal spaces; private practice rooms; student gathering spaces; upgraded faculty offices; and improvements to heating, cooling, lighting, and other essential building systems.

Funding for the Lipinsky Hall renovation includes appropriations from the North Carolina General Assembly; authorization and additional funding from the UNC System Board of Governors; an Office of State Budget and Management Flex Fund award; and University trust funds, donations, gifts, and grants.

The University is also improving accessibility and the student experience through the construction of a new ADA-accessible entrance at Ramsey Library. The project will create a more welcoming and accessible entry to one of the University's most heavily used academic buildings while also expanding outdoor seating, enhancing outdoor gathering space for campus events, and further supporting UNC Asheville's commitment to creating an inclusive campus environment.

Funding for the Ramsey Library Entry Improvements Project was approved by the General Assembly in 2023.

Campus entrances are also being enhanced through the Campus Gateways Project, which will establish new monument signage at key entrances on W.T. Weaver Boulevard and update the existing monument sign at the W.T. Weaver Boulevard roundabout. The project is designed to improve wayfinding, create more visible and welcoming entrances, and strengthen the University's visual identity.

Initial funding for the Campus Gateways Project was appropriated by the North Carolina General Assembly in 2023, with additional funding allocated by the UNC System Board of Governors in 2026.

Construction is also progressing on a new on-campus tennis facility that will provide a permanent home for UNC Asheville's men's and women's tennis programs. Originally announced in 2024 as part of UNC Asheville Athletics' ALL IN Comprehensive Campaign, the facility is expected to include six hard courts and will enhance the student-athlete experience while creating opportunities to host collegiate competition and engage the broader community.

Funding for the tennis facility includes support from the Asheville-Buncombe Tourism Product Development Fund, private donors, grants, and corporate partners.

As the projects progress, members of the campus community and visitors to campus may experience temporary impacts, including modified pedestrian routes, construction activity, and  parking changes. While tree and shrub removal will take place in select areas, new landscaping will be incorporated where appropriate. For the most recent updates on these projects, visit the Campus Improvement Projects page.

Source: UNC Asheville.