Lots of construction this summer

Construction workers have been busy this summer completing a number of projects to improve facilities and upgrade aging structures.

Two of the largest projects call for a lot of concrete. The first is replacement of the parking lot south of Old Admin, formerly known as the Administration Building. With the $640,000 project, concrete is replacing the variety of surfacing materials that have been patched into the lot through the years. In addition to the 125-stall lot, the project includes a new plaza just east of Old Admin. The plaza will include plantings and ornamental landscaping.

Old Admin is the unofficial moniker given to the building by CSC officials to reflect the building’s renewed emphasis on academic instruction. Administrative offices, many of which were housed in the building since the college was founded in 1911, were moved to the renovated Sparks Hall and other locations on campus. Faculty members have been moving into the facility this summer as workers put finishing touches on the building’s $4.8 million renovation. Classes are scheduled to resume there this fall.

Another project on campus that calls for concrete is the construction of a new 1,000-foot retaining wall along the north side of Elliott Field on 12th Street. That upgrade includes a handicap accessible ramp near the Nelson Physical Activity Center, improved drainage and resurfacing of the south half of the street along the stadium, wrought iron fencing, sidewalk replacement and street lights. Total cost of the project is about $550,000.

Dale Grant, CSC vice president for administration, said money for the projects is coming from sources dedicated to facility projects and not from the general cash fund, which was affected by this year’s budget shortfall.

While the scope of this summer’s construction on campus is similar to years past, the funding sources are different, he said. Much of the construction is being funded by appropriations made possible by Legislative Bill 605, which was signed by Gov. Dave Heineman in April 2006. The bill authorized more than $150 million to be used for maintenance and improvement projects at the Nebraska State College System and University of Nebraska system over the next 14 years. Other funding sources for construction on campus include funds made possible by other state legislation, revenue bonds and capital improvement fees.

Not all the projects deal with pavement, of course. One such project is the $78,000 replacement of the Crites Hall roof, which is nearing completion.

The Nelson Physical Activity Center also is undergoing the conversion of two racquetball courts to a cardio workout facility which adjoins the weight room. The project was initiated after a survey of students and NPAC users resulted in overwhelming support for expanded cardio facilities. The Student Senate voted in support of an increase to their activity fees to support the $88,000 project.

About 180 new windows are being installed this summer at Andrews Residence Hall, the fifth building on campus to receive that upgrade in recent years. Grant said the new windows are much more energy efficient than the old ones, which have obsolete parts and are continuously falling into disrepair from years of use.

The college is seeking bids on two other upcoming improvements.

The first is for a system to improve security with an “after-hours” entrance to residence halls. After a system is implemented, Grand said residents will probably use an optical scanner or proximity card to enter the halls when the new system is implemented. It will be completed with revenue bond funds.

The other bid is for the replacement of light fixtures in Armstrong Gym, Armstrong Pool and the Nelson Physical Activity Center. The new high efficiency lighting is expected to save enough on utility costs to pay for its implementation in seven years.