UT tower construction will halt tours

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Changes are coming to one of the oldest and most recognizable fixtures of the Austin skyline.

Starting July 15th, the University of Texas main building tower will undergo renovations to replace the air conditioning unit which cools the upper half of the building.

“The current unit is 45 years old,” said project director Bill Throop. “It needed to be changed.”

It will not cause a disruption in A/C service but tower tours will be put on hold from July until February.

The tower tours are a popular site seeing activity and are extremely popular during graduation weekends and home football game days.

As a result of the renovations, a crane and other heavy equipment will be visible from the tower’s north side.

The changes could also disrupt some other things for which the tower has become known.

The north side clock will not be ticking and the lights that often bath the tower in orange after athletic victories will be dark until the work is complete.