| Remodeling continues across campus |
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| Written by Chelsea Peck, Daily Vidette Assignment Editor |
| Wednesday, 01 July 2009 00:00 |
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While work on Stevenson Hall is close to completion, remodeling in Turner Hall and the Watterson Food Court has just begun. Watterson remodeling work began earlier this month, with phases one and two underway. "They were able to begin on phases one and two and 90 percent of the demolition for phases one and two has been done," Tracy Widergren, marketing coordinator of Campus Dining Services, said. "Most of the demolition is done and they are able to start some new work. They have some of the framework up.they are ahead of schedule." The first two phases include renovating the north seating area and adding a new dish room and grill/deli venue. The carpeting has been torn out and new flooring has been put in. They are in the process of covering the concrete walls in the seating area. According to Widergren, the food court becomes congested during lunch and dinner times as is. The new "neighborhoods" of food venues intermixed with seating areas will enhance the flow of the dining center. The renovations to Watterson relied heavily on the opinions of students. "A consultant was brought in to do some focus groups with students to find out how they were using the dining centers and what they wanted. From this, the consultant made some recommendations," Widergren said. "Everything that was done, we kept the students in mind in what they really needed and what they could use." Renovations on Stevenson Hall still continue with the Infrastructure Enhancement Project, which focuses on window replacement and restroom work. The university does not have a projected completion date for Stevenson, but contractors are aiming for the fall semester. Director of Facilities Planning Dick Runner explained that work in the mechanical room of Turner Hall has begun. Faculty and staff are expected to move out on time in the next several weeks. "The university has been proceeding along the process that was approved in the April meeting to relocate the faculty, staff and programs into interim locations," Runner said. "Two houses, a modular building, Williams Hall and the Bowling and Billiards Center while the renovation of Turner, which is part of the life safety project, is underway." The modular buildings have been ordered, and are being fabricated with Internet and furniture within the next several weeks, along with the houses located on Normal Avenue and School Street, according to Runner. Demolition to Turner Hall will begin in July and will take approximately one year to complete. Faculty and staff from Stevenson Hall will stay in Williams Hall until work is finished. Like Stevenson, Watterson Food Court and Turner Hall will stay open while construction continues throughout the year. "Before students come back there will be a temporary wall that will be built that will block off the construction. When students walk up the stairs there will be a wall to the right, blocking off the south area," Widergren said of the Watterson construction. |
