KUDOS TO DEDICATED EMPLOYEES FROM FM’S DIRECTOR
The recent storms brought forward many stories of hard work under difficult conditions and neighbor helping neighbor. Here is one of ours.

While the main campus came through the Wednesday storm with only momentary power outages, the perimeter of the campus wasn't as fortunate. Cougar Village, ERTC, Korte Stadium, and the campus Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) are fed separately and this power went out completely Wednesday night.

Without power the WWTP cannot process the waste from the campus. Early Thursday morning a group of Facilities electricians worked to install the back up generator no longer needed at the Campus Heating Plant to serve the WWTP. Meanwhile, Plant operators diverted the incoming waste to an empty aeration basin and used an engine fired pump to maintain some aeration. A quick calculation showed that by late afternoon partially treated water would start to overflow from the plant. The electricians worked continuously in the 100+ heat factor conditions to install the generator. By late afternoon the installation was complete, the generator was fired up, and treatment of the waste resumed.

As a result of the outstanding efforts of these electricians and plant operators the University was able to report no violations of our discharge permit for the five days the plant was without power.

An outstanding job under difficult conditions.

Robert B. Washburn PE
Director Facilities Management


A DIFFERENT KIND OF OUTAGE
On Saturday, August 5, 2006, Peck Hall will be closed from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. for necessary work; there will be no power to the building. 


RATE INCREASE
Due to rising gas prices, Transportation rates will be increased and departments will need to plan accordingly.  A procedure is in place that helps keep SIUE rates flexible with the unstable fuel market.  Departments can expect a penny increase for every ten cent increase in SIUE fuel cost and vice versa for every 10 cent drop in gas prices.  The most recent fuel order was 30 cents more than when fuel was ordered in May, so rates will increase by 3 cents for rentals picked up after July 25, 2006.  New rates will be posted at http://www.siue.edu/TRANSPORT/ and customers may always check back for further details or the most current rates prior to reservations.

ROAD REPAIRS
Supporting Services Building REAR parking lot (the lot on the south or loading dock side of the building) and road shoulder renovations by CD Peters have begun.  No vehicles will be allowed to park or drive through the parking lot during the renovation.  The parking lot work should be complete in a week; road shoulder erosion control will begin after lot completion.  Facilities Management appreciates the patience of the University community.

HAPPY TRAILS
Update July 30, 2006:  The bike trail between Lot A entry road and Metcalf Theater is being rebuilt and should reopen by August 12, 2006.  The base elevation of the trail has been raised, the fill dirt and rock has been compacted, and paving will begin soon.  PLEASE do not attempt to walk, jog, run, stroll, or ride through the construction area; it is not safe.


ADA PROJECT
Update July 30, 2006:  Accumulation of the review comments is underway and they will be submitted to CDB shortly.  FM will then begin a plea for emergency status for the project to convince the state to release the monies to go out for bids and construction.

    
MASONRY RENOVATION
Update July 30, 2006:  The brick manufacturer ran a half load of bricks for review.  The manufacturer’s representative, the project architect, and the campus architect are meeting to review the bricks for color and for blend.  Blend is the mixing of the assorted colors (dependent upon the individual brick color as well as the proportion of each color in a wall) that results in the overall color of the wall.  The University brick wall color is also heavily dependent upon the mortar color, as it is 30% of the wall color.  The University uses a blend of maroon and black to achieve the most common mortar color; in fact, after years of blending the color themselves, the brick manufacturer finally had the color supplier blend the color and features it in the supplier’s color palette as “Edwardsville.”

MISCELLANEOUS GIR/MOD PROJECTS
Update July 30, 2006:    The Graduate Painting and Graduate Textile Studios in the Art & Design Building have the appearance of a barren land.  All the old partitions were removed and FM painters are repainting the walls and doors.  The floor has had the 15+ years of paint and who-knows-what spills scraped off in preparation for a good old-fashioned scrubbing.  New partitions are scheduled for delivery and installation the week of August 8, 2006. 

FM crafts are returning to Building 8272 in Alton to resume demolition of the walls and plumbing at the location of the old restrooms.  Demolition will include breaking out the concrete floors under the old restrooms to remove the old plumbing and prepare for the installation of the new plumbing in a new location.  Two new bathrooms are being created to be accessible.  A number of other changes are taking place in the remainder of the building as it is prepared for its future role of serving the severely disabled.

EAST ST. LOUIS HIGHER EDUCATION CAMPUS (ESLHEC)
Update July 30, 2006:  Architects are moving forward on an emergency plan to replace the damaged windows.  Added to the project is the replacement of some bricks that were knocked out of the wall at the Vo-Tech Building by the storm.  Meanwhile, another small project had final drawings submitted for review.  This project, which includes adding a sidewalk around the flagpoles, a sidewalk to connect the west end of John R. Thompson Boulevard to the kitchen entrance and installing a water meter to serve the IDES Building, is considered a small civil project.  The review comments will be prepared and submitted to CDB next week.

WATER TOWER PAINTING
Update July 30, 2006:  The SIUE water tower overcoat is complete; work is beginning on the painting of the logo.  Work should be complete by the end of this week.

SERVICE NUMBERS