The lobby of Pearce-Ford Tower underwent huge renovations last summer. Concrete walls were covered with drywall and a colorful, geometric pattern faces the entrance.
The floors were re-covered with new tile and carpeting. Also, all the old furnishings were replaced by new furniture.
The renovation of the lobby is the first phase of a three-year project to renovate the entire 27-story building, at a cost of about $10 million. The building remained untouched since the completion of its construction in 1970, said Kevin Utt, PFT hall director.
The entire building will undergo renovations including lounges, dorm rooms and restrooms. The top third of the building will be renovated this summer, the middle third in the summer of 2009 and the remaining third in the summer of 2010.
The renovations are planned to be completed while the building is closed. However, if any work must be done during the school year, it won’t interfere with the lives of the residents, said Don Stoneburg, senior project manager.
The 27th floor will be completely renovated. That floor will be sectioned off, one section becoming a game section and the other a study section, Stoneburg said.
The game section will include an area for game tables, such as pingpong and pool. There will be another area with couches and televisions where electronic games can be played.
The study section will include a classroom where professors can host study sessions. A study lounge will also be included.
Additional lounges will be built on every other floor of the building by removing two dorm rooms, Utt said.
In the current dorm rooms, all of the furniture is bolted to the floor and can’t be moved. It will be replaced by moveable furniture similar to the furniture in Bemis Lawrence and Barnes-Campbell halls. All rooms will contain two beds, dressers, desks, bookshelves and moveable armoires.
The walls that divide each room will be removed. This will allow students to arrange the furniture any way they like, Stoneburg said.
All of the flooring and ceiling lights will be replaced and additional electrical outlets will be added, said Brian Kuster, the director of housing and residence life.
Bathrooms will also be gutted. The sinks will be installed into new counter tops and the showers will be in a single-stall configuration.
Upon the completion of the renovations, the living-learning communities, in which students of the same major live and study together, will be moved into PFT from McCormack Hall, Kuster said.
The communities are the Gateway Community, Aces Living Learning Community (LLC), J.L. Marshall Business LLC and the Education LLC.
The additional lounges that are being created throughout the building are specifically for them.
Additional projects:
Campus lighting
Cost $520,000
The first phase of the project will put an additional 120 lamps on campus from the fine arts center to Cherry Hall.
The completion date is set for March 2008.
Snell Hall
Cost $30 million
Ground has been broken on the addition to the science campus, and construction has started. Completion is set for the spring of 2010.
College of Education and Behavioral Sciences Building
Cost $33 million
Replacement of the building is still in the design phase. Construction is planned for the beginning of August.
Academic Complex
Cost $125,000
In the Academic Complex, where Health Services was formally located, renovation has begun.
The department of public health, which is currently located in Garrett Center, is set to move in by June 1.
West Grandstand of Smith Stadium
Cost $25 million
Construction is expected to be completed by May. The West Grandstand will house the Red Towel section which is now on the upper deck of the East Grandstand.
It will also include premium seats under the overhang of the upper-level section, reserved bleacher seats and about 800 club seats.
East Grandstand of Smith Stadium renovation
Cost $11 million
The renovation is progressing and is set to be complete by August 2008. The student section will be moved behind the visitor’s bench when completed.
Reach Danielle Bullock at news@chherald.com.
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