Facilities staff and contractors continue to advance design and construction projects even during the coronavirus pandemic. Their essential role supports keeping buildings and grounds safe, secure, clean, and functional. Mission critical maintenance and capital projects remain active, and staff overseeing them have adapted by utilizing online meeting platforms, observing social distancing requirements, and rotating shifts.
Some highlights of our on-going work are shown below.
The architect-engineer team, led by Perkins-Eastman, is nearly complete with their detailed construction documents phase of the Dining Commons Project. Construction contractor Manhattan is engaging with subcontractors, pressing forward through the permitting process, and overseeing utility relocations. Construction of the building foundation begins this summer and the building is expected to be operational in 2022!
As noted previously, Magner Hall was demolished in November to make way for this exciting project. Best practices for sustainable disposal of waste were followed: all masonry waste was transported to an aggregate recycling facility for 100% re-use; all metal debris was transported to a metal scrap yard for 100% recycling; all concrete waste was transported to a concrete recycling facility for 100% re-use. Wood, plastic and paper products were sorted and recycled. A minimum of 75% of waste was diverted from the landfill, with an average recycling goal of 90%.
Phase I has been completed!
Phase II
The third and final cooling tower was lifted into place at the end of March 2020 — a milestone for the project and our contractor, Whiting-Turner.
Construction crews continue “the dig” for the installation of distribution piping that will deliver hot and chilled water to individual buildings. Nearly all campus facilities will be connected to the central boilers in the Power Plant for heating by the Fall of 2020.
A new residence hall complex with a total of 350 new beds is being designed for the space east of Opus on John McCormack Road. The complex will house traditional-style double occupancy rooms for first year students.
Design development continues with Perkins-Eastman. Pre-construction involvement by Manhattan Construction gives us real-time feedback on cost and constructability. The project teams are pursuing panelized structural and façade systems that can be fabricated in an off-site facility, trucked to the site and erected safely and efficien
The residence halls are scheduled to open in 2022.
A programming and feasibility study was completed in November 2019 for a new home for the Conway School of Nursing. The building will be located between O’Connell Hall and the 7th Street entrance to the University. Selection of an architect-engineer team to provide design services is underway. The University is interviewing several potential firms with a decision to be made this spring.
The Crough Center for Architectural Studies is getting a facelift this Spring. The stucco façade is being repaired and cleaned. In addition, several exterior doors will be replaced and handrails at the front entrance will be replaced.
Phase 1 of the Caldwell Exterior project (restoration/replacement of windows and doors on Caldwell main) took place over Summer 2019.
Phase 2, which addresses the exterior of the Seton Wing, began at the end of March. Preparations for the window replacement project are currently underway and expected to begin in May.
Work has commenced on replacing deteriorating domestic water lines and expanding the system to support the addition of sprinkler systems designed in many of our Fire/Life Safety projects. Crews are currently working along Harewood Road.
Facilities Planning and Management is responsible for stewardship of the University’s places and spaces. It oversees and performs facilities management, maintenance, operations, planning, design, renovation and construction of all campus buildings, utilities, and grounds.
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