Student Success Center (Morris University Center)

Central campus is quite busy with ongoing construction this winter.  One of the major projects is the addition to Morris University Center called the Student Success Center.  Nicer weather with warmer temperatures has allowed for more exterior finish work.  Most obvious is the brick rising on the outside of the buildings along with the installation of the stone accents.  The clerestory windows above the main roof are currently being installed with the glazing following right behind.  Out of sight, the interior work is moving along.  The electrical rough-in has started on the main level and is nearly finished in the lower level.  Likewise, the lower level plumbing rough-in, the heating and ventilating rough-in, the fire protection system rough-in and all above ceiling work is finished and ready for review.  The first floor rough-in is about 50% finished above the ceiling and steady progress is being made.  The drywall on partitions is nearly completed throughout the building and the tapers are working throughout the first floor.  Several areas are taped and painters are finishing the primer coat. 

Student Fitness Center
The building is beginning to look finished on the outside with the brick, precast concrete and windows at the entry.  However, the big plastic covered hole in the south end serves as a reminder that construction is ongoing.  The roofer will begin to install the red roof panels once the brick and precast walls are completed.  Ductwork is being hung inside the space along with water pipes, fire protection piping and electrical components.  Concrete masonry units (CMU) are being installed for walls on the interior.  Those who use the Fitness Center have heard jack-hammering and crashing and banging as the existing west wall is knocked out of the Gym.  An unfortunate accident soaked most of Court 1 and the wood floor will need to be replaced; the contractor’s insurance company is currently reviewing the problem.

Early Childhood Center
The addition to the Early Childhood Center is moving along.  The brick has been finished and the siding is being installed.  Inside, drywall work is nearly finished and painting will start soon.  All of the rough-ins for the mechanical systems has been finished.  Other finishes including plumbing fixtures, light fixtures and flooring are underway and should be completed by the end of March.  The Childhood Center should move in the week of April 1, 2009; however, the State Agency responsible for child care facilities has to inspect the building and agree to occupancy.  No one knows how soon the inspector will show up or how quickly the checking will go, so some uncertainty remains about the actual move in date. 

School of Pharmacy
Work has begun on a badly needed student lounge for Pharmacy students, an addition to the School of Pharmacy Lab Building in University Park.  Recent wet weather hindered the start of construction as the soil was too wet, not only at the site, but at the remote site where fill dirt was to be obtained.  To get the project moving, the contractor chose to substitute gravel fill for dirt. The Accreditation Committee, on site as work began, had indicated that the lounge was a requirement.

Alumni Hall
Repainting of the Atrium was temporarily delayed to allow for some important School of Nursing activities.  Those activities have been completed and the painting has resumed.  The main walls have been completed and the fascias around the stairwell openings will be started soon.  A darker contrasting color (similar to Founders Hall) will be used.

School of Dental Medicine
New windows for the Science Building are currently being bid and with the slow market, good pricing is expected.  Demolition work for a separate project in the basement of the Science Building will start soon.  A TV inspection of drain lines adjacent to the Science Building will be conducted to discover why water occasionally backs up into the basement, a problem that must be resolved prior to the renovation of the basement into a computer study area.  The design of the MDL partial building removal is underway.  The unused two story portion on the north will be removed and the “new” north face refinished to complement the existing building.  A meeting with the Illinois State Historical Preservation Agency is scheduled next week to review the old gymnasium to see what options are available to replace the existing siding and windows.  Upgrades to the locker and restrooms inside the gymnasium will bring new life to the building. 

East St. Louis Higher Education Campus
Safety railings have been installed around roof top equipment on several buildings and an old unused air conditioner was removed from Building A.  Contract documents are nearly complete to remove brick work on the second floor wall of Building B over the cafeteria to fix a problem that has allowed water to leak into some of the offices and the cafeteria for years.  A number of repairs greatly reduced the amount of water intrusion, but never stopped it completely; this proposed repair should stop the problem once and for all.