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February 26, 2010 |
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The Kent State University’s Architects Office periodically sends out an updated list of all the projects that they have underway and in the planning stages for the Kent campus and all the regional campuses. I’m lucky enough to be on their distribution list and I’m happy to share the update here.
CONSTRUCTION ALERT February 2010
From the Office of the University Architect
Risman Plaza Construction Commences Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Construction to renovate Risman Plaza is scheduled to begin this week and work will progress around the plaza in sections throughout winter, spring, and summer until the end of August. The plaza will be enhanced to become a more inviting space for students, faculty and staff to meet, study, relax and attend events.
Beginning Tuesday, February 23, 2010, work will begin on the new Risman Plaza Transit Shelter (located on the south side of the Kiva). The construction crew will install fencing around the perimeter of the jobsite. Work on this portion of the project is anticipated to continue through the remainder of Spring Semester. Although it should not disrupt pedestrian or vehicular traffic, please exercise caution while traveling around the plaza and observe construction detour signage to avoid this construction zone.
Updates will be provided to you as this project progresses and moves around to other sections of the plaza.
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UPDATE ON DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS: JANUARY 2010
Spring and summer heavy construction activities are quickly approaching as project designs are being finalized and construction documents are being assembled to advertise for competitive bidding. Across Kent State’s eight campuses, here are the major facility and infrastructure improvements being administered by the Office of the University Architect:
PROJECTS UNDER CONSTRUCTION:
Ashtabula Health and Science Building
The newly-built, two story, 55,000 sf Robert S. Morrison Health and Science Building opened for Fall Semester 2009 at Ashtabula Campus. The new facility houses the Nursing Program, Occupational Therapy, Radiation Technology, science laboratories, general classrooms and offices. At the west end of campus, a new student parking lot was added to accommodate the new building. Commissioning and punch list items need to be completed.
Centennial Research Park Roof Replacement
The original roof over Centennial Research Park will be replaced this winter. Work commenced in December and continues through winter.
District Chilled Water Expansion Phase II
Currently under construction, this project involves addition of VFDs to the system, along with replacement of three-way valves with two-way valves. Work involves updating controls, wiring of the VFDs, and installation and removal of valves, piping and hardware. Construction is scheduled to be completed early spring in time for the cooling season.
Electrical Distribution System Upgrades – Medium Voltage Loop 8B
The medium voltage loop 8B (Nixon, Terrace and Verder halls and Art Annex) and the electrical power metering system were upgraded and connected to the Power Plant. This project is at the punch list stage and is nearing completion.
Geauga Student Parking Lot Improvements, Phase 2
At Geauga Campus, phase 2 parking lot improvements involve installation of a detention pond for storm water management. Work commences on-site in April and will continue through June.
Heer and Harbourt Halls Roof Replacement
The roofing systems on Heer and Harbourt halls will be removed and replaced. Construction commenced in late December and continues through spring.
McGilvrey Hall Labs 131B and 341 Renovations
The fume hood systems in McGilvrey Hall labs 131B and 341 will be renovated to be compatible with chemicals proposed for use by a new faculty member. These renovations include, but are not limited to, new acid-resistant fume hoods and exhaust systems. On-site construction commences on February 1.
Music and Speech Center Renovations and Additions – Roe Green Center
Music and Speech Center is being renovated and additions built to address space and program needs for the School of Theatre and Dance. One addition will provide a new lobby and black box experimental theatre on the Theatre Drive face of the building; this will also provide an enhanced entry area for students and event patrons. On the west side of the building, another addition is being constructed to provide three new dance studios and support space to relocate the Dance Program out of the MACC Annex. The Theatre addition is closed-in with all exterior building work complete. Construction continues inside with drywall, rough electrical, heating and cooling system work and the closing-in of the control room and support areas. The new Theatre lobby is enclosed with plumbing and electrical work commencing, followed by drywall and finishes to be installed in the spring. The Dance studios and support areas are ready for wall finishes and painting, while the locker and restrooms are nearing completion, since the ceramic tile has been installed. This project is on schedule to be completed this May.
Tuscarawas Performing Arts Center
A new Performing Arts Center is being constructed at the Tuscarawas Campus. This new facility is located adjacent to the existing Founder’s Hall and includes a 1,100 seat theatre, classrooms for the art programs, offices, stage and stage support areas. Installation of structural steel and underground utility work and rough-in of interior utilities continue. The educational wing, theater tower, the main house, the lobby, and back-of-house areas are all under construction. Completion is expected late fall.
Verder Hall New Hydraulic Elevator
Verder Hall’s original elevator will be removed and replaced with a new, roped, hydraulic elevator in a new hoistway shaft on the exterior of the building. Contracts were recently awarded and on-site construction will commence on May 17.
CONTRACT AWARDS PENDING:
Centennial Greens and Manchester Field Lawn Irrigation
Lawn irrigation systems will be installed in order to water Centennial Greens and Manchester Field. The contract award is pending for the irrigation bids that were opened on January 21.
McDowell Hall Toilet and Shower Room Rehabilitation
Due to aging infrastructure, plumbing systems and fixtures in the bathrooms of McDowell Hall will be rehabilitated. Architectural finishes, electrical and HVAC work in these areas will also be replaced. Contract awards are pending for construction bids that were opened on December 16 and the General Trades Contract re-bids that were opened on January 21. Construction is scheduled for completion during the summer.
Risman Plaza Renovations, Phase 1
This project is the initial phase of a multi-phased project to improve the university’s landscape and hardscape. The primary focus of the construction for this phase will be the Risman Plaza and surrounding areas. Renovations will include improvements to landscaping, paving, lighting, site furnishings, drainage and pedestrian walkways. The contract awards are pending for construction bids that were opened on January 12.
Trumbull Library Fire Alarm Upgrade
At Trumbull Campus the fire alarm system will be upgraded with a new, addressable, voice-type system in the Link Building, Library, and Technology addition. The contract award was approved by the Controlling Board and is now awaiting the release of construction funds from the Office of Budget and Management. Work is anticipated to start mid-spring semester and continue into summer.
PROJECTS ADVERTISED FOR BIDDING:
Williams Hall Lab 223 HVAC Improvements
The HVAC system in laboratory 223 of Williams Hall will be upgraded. Contractors” bids for construction will be opened on February 16.
Kent Student Center Masonry Repairs
The masonry overhang at the third floor balcony level of the Student Center is in need of repair. Poor detailing in the original design has led to failure of the bottom edge of this overhang, and a reinforcing lintel will be retrofitted over the 280 ft. length. Contractors’ bids for construction will be opened on February 22. Work will begin in the spring as soon as weather permits. Until repairs are completed, the outside balcony will be closed.
Residence Halls ADA Improvements
Construction will commence this summer to bring specific areas of Centennial Court, Prentice Hall, and Beall Hall into compliance with current Federal ADA requirements that will provide better accessibility in those areas for students and staff. Contractors’ bids for construction will be opened on February 23.
PROJECTS UNDER DESIGN:
Child Development Center Reroof and Research One Shingled Roof
Existing shingles on the roofs of the Child Development Center and the Research One Building will be removed and replaced with new roofing systems which include ice guards, venting, fall protection equipment and roofing accessories. A design firm is assessing the extent of the ceiling repairs and insulation supplementation and/or replacement.
East Liverpool Classroom Building Restroom Renovations
Three sets of men’s and women’s restrooms in the Classroom Building will be renovated. Restrooms will be modified to conform to the current ADA codes, with new floor and wall tile, ceiling and lights, plumbing fixtures and toilet compartments, countertops and toilet accessories.
Geauga Student Parking Lot Improvements, Phase 3
At Geauga Campus, phase 3 of this project involves parking lot improvements and construction of a transit center to the south parking areas. This work will be bid and constructed during summer.
Kent Multimodal Transportation Center
Kent State, the city of Kent and the Portage Area Regional Transportation Authority, via a Federal Transportation Administration grant, conducted a planning study for construction of a Multimodal Transportation Center in the city. The proposed center incorporates parking, mass transportation, pedestrians and bicycles into one central facility designed to promote and increase transit, pedestrian and bicycle access to the university and downtown Kent. This project is in the schematic design phase.
Library Main Floor Renovations
The circulation desk area and main entry lobby at the first floor of the Library will be renovated. Currently under design, construction is anticipated to commence in May.
MAC Center Athletic Academic Resource Center Expansion
An addition has been funded to expand the existing MAC Center Athletic Academic Resource Center. Architectural and engineering firms are currently designing this project.
Music and Speech Center Parking Lot Renovation
A study is underway to plan the renovation of the existing parking lot at the Music and Speech Center. The goals of the project are to rehabilitate the lighting, renovate or replace the existing parking lot pavement including curbs, walks and asphalt surfaces as well as improve pedestrian circulation through the lot.
New Facilities for the College of Technology – Programming / Site Selection
Constructed in 1951 and in need of complete rehabilitation, Van Deusen Hall houses the College of Technology and portions of the School of Art. An architectural firm assessed the current configuration and needs of the building and investigated the rehabilitation or the construction of a new facility for the College of Technology. The project design should achieve LEED Silver Certification and comply with House Bill 251 reduced energy consumption requirements. The final study was presented to the administration.
New Facilities for the Schools of Art and Visual Communication Design – Programming / Site Selection
Constructed in 1972 and at the end of its useful life, the Art Building houses the School of Art and the School of Visual Communication Design. An architectural design firm assessed the current configuration and needs of the building and investigated a complete rehabilitation of other campus buildings and/or the construction of a new facility for these two programs. The project design should achieve LEED Silver Certification and comply with House Bill 251 reduced energy consumption requirements. The final study was presented to the administration.
Schwartz Center Restroom Renovations, Phase 2
The centrally located restrooms at the south portion of the Schwartz Center will be renovated similar to the Schwartz Center Admissions Restroom Renovations Project. Architectural and engineering firms are in process of designing this project.
Stark Science Building
Until a new dean is appointed at Stark Campus and has the opportunity to participate in planning this project, designs are currently on hold to build a 30,000 sf building to support the Science Program. This building will accommodate science teaching and research laboratories and a portion of the east wing will be renovated to accommodate the expanding Nursing Program.
Stark and Tuscarawas Campus-Wide Energy Conservation Project
The Office of the University Architect and Energy Conservation committee selected an energy service company for a performance contract to enable Stark and Tuscarawas campuses to comply with House Bill 251 energy use reduction goals with provisions under House Bill 7 for payback of project cost with verified energy savings over a maximum 10-year time period. Acquisition of funding and negotiations with the energy service company are underway.
Stewart Hall Renovations for the Relocation of Information Services
This project involves planning, design and construction to renovate Stewart Hall for the consolidation of Information Services groups campuswide into one facility.
Summit Street Sidewalk Extension
The campus sidewalk along Summit Street will be extended from the C-Science parking lot southeast to the bus stop in front of the Parking Maintenance Building to provide safe access to the campus for off-campus students. Included will be alternates to extend the sidewalk and provide lighting to Sieberling Drive, Summit East parking lot. This project is under design.
Trumbull Classroom Building Lobby Handrails and Lighting
Handrails, ceilings and lighting will be replaced in the Main Lobby of the Kent State University at Trumbull Classroom Building to match the renovated area adjacent to the Lobby. This project will replace the handrails to bring them into compliance with the current building code. The lighting and ceilings will be upgraded to more energy-efficient and modern lighting fixtures that will allow for easier maintenance.
Trumbull Classroom Building Restroom Renovations
Two sets of men’s and women’s restrooms in the Classroom Building and 1 set in the Library-Theater Building will be renovated. Restrooms will be modified to conform to the current ADA codes, with new floor and wall tile, ceiling and lights, plumbing fixtures and toilet compartments, countertops and toilet accessories.
Trumbull Classroom Building Storefront Replacement
All entrance doors and storefront windows at the perimeter of the Trumbull Classroom Building will be replaced. This will improve building security at the entrances and improve energy-efficiency by changing the doors and windows to insulated glazing and thermally-broken entrance systems.
Trumbull Public Safety, Security, and Environmental Health Institute
A study was completed to provide a preliminary program and conceptual renderings for a Public Safety, Security, and Environmental Health Institute at Trumbull Campus. The building would be a multi-purpose facility used for educational and training purposes by the Trumbull Campus, the Trumbull Career and Tech Center, local fire and safety agencies, local public health departments, and non-profit organizations, and public utilities.
White Hall Parking Lot Improvements
Perimeter landscape and lighting improvements are being planned for White Hall R-16 parking lot. Currently under design, this project will be advertised for bidding late winter.
WKSU Renovations and Additions
The WKSU Broadcast Center is comprised of offices, broadcast studios, and broadcast support areas, including a media library, computer areas, and recording studio. This project will renovate spaces and new space will be added to the existing building to address changes in media, technology and the broadcast field. The level of funds raised will determine the schedule for proceeding with further development of the design and construction of this project. This project has been placed on hold.
SELECTING FIRMS FOR:
Facility Planning and Scheduling Services
Recognizing the importance of state-of-the-art facilities, Kent State University is poised to undertake an extensive program of improvement to its campus facilities. A previously-commissioned study identified approximately $350M in deferred renewal needs for existing buildings. Additionally, new facilities may be required to meet the programmatic requirements in some academic areas. The Kent State University Board of Trustees authorized the administration to pursue approximately $200M in bond funding to finance this initiative. The goal of this project is to work with the administration and facilities offices to provide an overall implementation plan for this enterprise encompassing campus planning, facility assessment, programming, estimating and scheduling/sequencing of the work. Specific building and renovation projects will be identified in this project and subsequent, separate Requests for Qualifications for those actual construction projects will be issued. The Office of the University Architect is currently reviewing qualifications of firms interested in this project.
Multiple Buildings Envelope Repairs and Roof Replacements
Building envelope repairs and roof replacements will be conducted on multiple buildings on the Kent Campus, as well as the Regional Campuses, over the next three years. The specific scope and budget of each individual project varies by building. Six buildings have been identified in current planning, but additional buildings may be added to the overall project at a later date. These buildings are: Smith Hall (1968), Science Research Lab Building (1986), Williams Hall (1967), Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center (1950), MACC Annex (1977), McGilvrey Hall (1940), and the Kent Student Center (1971). Due to the scope of the projects and schedule requirements, the university will select more than one firm to complete the proposed projects. The Office of the University Architect has interviewed firms for several roofing projects and is still in the process of selecting firms for other roofing projects.
Salem Building Expansions and Additions
Until February 5, the Office of the University Architect is accepting qualifications from architectural firms interested in assisting with designing this project. The Gymnasium at Salem Campus will be converted to accommodate the Nursing Program on the lower level and a shelled-out space on the upper level that will, in the future, be finished out to house the new science laboratories. New faculty offices will also be created on the lower level.
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Project information can be found on the Office of the University Architect’s Web site at: www.kent.edu/universityarchitect/
Please Note: Any significant changes that will impact pedestrian or vehicular movement on the Kent Campus will be posted as a top news story on Kent State University’s home page.
Jacqueline S. Mest
Contracts Manager
Kent State University Office of the University Architect
Suite 334 Lowry Hall, 750 Hilltop Drive, P.O. Box 5190
Kent, Ohio 44242-0001
voice: 330.672.7992 e-mail: jmest@kent.edu
switchboard: 330.672.3880; fax: 330.672.2648
Web site: http://www.kent.edu/universityarchitect/