Construction Zone
by Tod Horner
The design and construction staff of the Facilities and Planning
Department has numerous projects at various stages slated for the
fall/winter of 2000. We have been very busy this summer with
numerous projects. The busy schedule will continue into the fall
and winter of this year. Below, is an updated list of projects that
will be ongoing over the next couple months.
After a slow start, the university
has terminated the contract of the general contractor on the new Physical Therapy Building. The
university along with legal counsel is currently negotiating with
the contractor's bonding company to resolve several issues. A
revised construction schedule is not known at this
time.
Work on the Heating Plant is progressing, the first phase
of this two-phase project is nearly complete. Phase I includes the
installation of additional gas firing to the existing coal fired
boilers #1 and #2. Testing of the renovated boilers is scheduled
for September. Design of phase II is ongoing and will include a new
stack, conversion of boiler #3 to gas, coal handling improvements
and demolition of the existing coal silo.
Phase I of the replacement of the
badly deteriorated heating system in Bard
Hall will be completed this summer as scheduled. Phase II of
the new four pipe heating and cooling system will be completed May
to September 2001.
With the completion of the campus
wide master plan, North Hall will become a "one stop shop" for
students needing assistance from various departments in numerous
buildings. The first step is to relocate the Health Services
Department. The first floor of the east/west wing of Rhoads Hall was chosen as the best location.
Bids have been received and construction should start early
September. The space will be developed into a more
department-oriented facility than that is currently being used by
Health Services. Construction is scheduled to be completed in April
2001. Preliminary work has started on the renovation of North Hall.
Identification of programs and design committee participation is
being developed. A professional should be selected in the near
future. According to the dining services peopleRocky's Grill has become a popular social
center for students. Design of 2500 square foot (176 seating)
single story addition has been completed. An exterior wood deck
will also be included. The addition will face the new Recreation
Facility and Swope Music Hall. Bids were received but over budget.
The project will be re-bid in January in hopes of a more favorable
bidding climate. Construction will start in the
spring. The Department of
General Services is coordinating a project for the renovation of
West Hall. Built around 1900, West Hall has had limited work
performed to it other than a new roof in 1993. Offices of
International Initiatives and Modern Languages offices and
classrooms are slated to occupy the building. The project includes
a new elevator, new electrical/plumbing/hvac systems, new windows
and a new main entrance facing Maltby avenue. Design is progressing
and should be complete early 2001. The bleacher system in Morrow Field House has been a
maintenance problem for many years. Proposals for the bleacher
replacement, including additional seating, are now being accepted.
After the existing bleachers are removed, the arena wood floor will
also be replaced. Both systems are from the original building
construction of the 1960's.'In addition, the outlining "grass-tex"
area is being considered for replacement. All work will start
immediately following spring commencement, and finish in the early
fall.
The repairs and renovations to the Spotts
World Culture elevated walkway are set to begin soon. Due to
many years of exposure to the elements, the walkway deck is badly
deteriorated and the structure is experiencing some movement. The
concrete steps will be replaced, the deck will be repaired and the
stability of the structural supports will be reviewed. A new cover
will also be added to protect the walkway from the weather and
improve pedestrian use. The work is tentatively scheduled to start
late August and finish sometime in the fall.A considerable amount
of work has been completed as part of the ongoing multiple year asphalt maintenance contract. The
baseball field parking was expanded and reconfigured. Founders Hall
parking lot was resurfaced. The existing tennis courts at Founders
were converted to a parking lot. The Swope parking lot was expanded
to connect with the new lot created when the Aebersold Recreation
Facility was built. In addition, the entrance to the baseball field
parking lot will be reconfigured and weather permitting a new
basketball court will be constructed at Founders Hall.
A new contractor started this summer on a new multiple year concrete maintenance contract. New curbs
and sidewalks were added at the new lot at Swope. Concerns by the
safety department and the labor crew will also be addressed. A new
walkway consisting of a series of steps and sidewalks will be
constructed from the baseball field parking lot to Rhoads Hall.
As you can see this summer’s construction season has
been very busy. Hopefully most of the above mentioned work was
performed with minimal disruption to the campus community. If you
have any questions or comments about any of the above projects,
feel free to contact anyone in the design and construction
staff.
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Facilities in Action
Judy Scheidemantle
The Facilities and Planning crews have been busy working on the
following projects over the past several months:
-A new sculpture has been installed
at the front of Swope Music Building along with a new
shrubbery bed.
-Renovation of ceilings and lights in the hallways of Spotts World
Cultures building.
-Electricians renovated six existing classrooms in various
buildings with new multi media systems.
-Weisenfluh Dining Hall now has a handicapped accessible restroom
on the dining area floor.
-All restrooms have been renovated at the University Union.
-Modification to lighting in the new parking areas located
near Founders Hall , Swope Music and the Baseball Field.
-The parking lot at the ski lodge area used by the residents at the
apartment complex has been reconfigured.
-New drainage ditches have been dug behind the Recreation Center to
alleviate a water problem.
-Clearing of the stream area to increase aesthetics is under way
near the Rec Center.
-Trash receptacles have been installed on light poles along streets
and parking lots.
Safety Zone
By Deb Vogan
FIRE SAFETY
Recent tragic fires at several
universities have highlighted the need for fire safety training. A
Fire Safety training workshop for all interested employees was held
on June 14. Instructed by Ron Steele, Institutional Fire and Safety
Specialist, all participants learned how to recognize when a person
should try to handle a fire themselves and when to call for
help. Ron showed a very informative video detailing the
proper steps for using a fire extinguisher. Hands-on instruction
and use of different types of fire extinguishers followed a
question and answer session.
Thanks to all who attended the
workshop and for taking the time to fill out the before and after
surveys.
Everyone that completed the workshop received a certificate.
I have two videos available for you to watch at your leisure.
Please feel free to contact me if you wish to borrow
them.
This safety article was presented in
two sections. For your convenience the following section may be
removed from the newsletter. Take the time to practice these fire
safety tips and then place this sheet within easy reach of all
family members.
GOOD LUCK AND BE SAFETY
CONSCIOUS
Fires don’t just happen.
There are measures you can take to help ensure that a fire
doesn’t start. Here are a few important things you can
do:
-Install a smoke detector on every
level of your house and in the garage. Check it monthly and replace
batteries when necessary.
-Have an electrician look at the
wiring in your house. Make sure circuits are not
overloaded.
-Have all alternative heating units,
such as wood stoves and space heaters, checked by an
expert.
-Keep matches and lighters out of
reach and away from children.
-Never smoke in bed.
No house can be 100% fire proof.
There are some basic things you should do to prepare for a
fire:
-Determine at least two ways to
escape from every room in your home.
-Purchase an approved chain ladder
to use to climb out of rooms above the first floor, and practice
using it.
-Select a location where everyone
could meet after escaping the house.
-Discuss what you would do about
family pets in the event of a fire.
-Know how to call for emergency
assistance.
When a fire strikes:
-Crawl low under the smoke to escape.
-Close the door when you exit a room and feel closed doors before
you enter a room. A hot door or doorknob usually means the room is
on fire.
-If your clothes are on fire, drop to the floor and roll to smother
and put out the flames.
-Get everyone out quickly and then call for emergency
assistance.
-Know how to give accurate directions to your house when you call
for assistance.
Did You
Know That.........
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