Cougar Village musical chairs

By Thomas Olsen
News Reporter

Delays in the $15.7 million Cougar Village renovation project, which began in May, have left a number of frustrated residents.

This summer workers discovered asbestos in the buildings and work was slowed considerably because of the special handling required for the potentially dangerous material.

As a result, students have been put into one of the 500-side buildings and then moved to another as work was completed. Not all of the moves have gone smoothly.

Residents of building 509 were scheduled to move into the renovated 501 building early this week but the plan was put on hold because 501 isn't ready.

"We had everything ready to go, but now we don't know when we're moving," building 509 resident Tensia Hyde said.

Residents of building 504 moved into the renovated building 503 last Wednesday and Thursday, but not without a glitch.

"I was mad ... . We only had one day's notice to get ready," elementary education sophomore Alisha Hill said.

Nonetheless, Hill said she likes her renovated apartment. "We have a mirror and medicine cabinet in the bathroom now."

Hyde said, "I'm glad they are fixing the apartments ... but it's ridiculous that they weren't finished over the summer."

Employees from Dodge Moving and Storage were hired to give students a hand with their moves.

"The movers were helpful when they finally showed up," Hill said, adding that they were about an hour late,.

Mike Schultz, director of University Housing, said the next move is set for next week when residents of building 514 will move into building 505. Schultz added that the asbestos-related problems have not only delayed the work but put the project over budget. He could not say how much.