A recent poll on the possible names for the hole in the center of campus, which was conducted by Chronicle staff member Shane Hoffman, revealed that “The Money Pit” is the name that resonates with most voters.
The pit is nearly done. The dirt shines into the heavens. The trucks roll in and out, taking with them the remains of Student Village and professors’ former office spaces. In the place of Student Village and offices are long dirt-filled commons.
Mike Hudson, the assistant vice president for business operation, has been employed on campus for 21 years. He works on the construction renovation projects, as well as with maintenance and cleaning staffs on campus.
Hudson compares his excitement for this project to that of the fine arts center, which he says “has been a great thing for students.”
Hudson, who is involved with the budget, commented that “we are good condition right now to meet the budget that was set.”
Perhaps the building won’t be such a “Money Pit,” as readers have named it, because the science center is only a portion of the $150 million Brilliant Future Campaign.
Workers are currently in the process of installing the concrete footings that the foundation wall of the science center will sit on. Hudson estimated this to take until around November.
Starting in November, the steel frame of the building will be going up and there will be a crane present on campus. “They are starting in the south and working their way north,” Hudson explained.
The completion of the framing is expected to be in March or April. About five to six months on a single aspect may seem like a long time, but there is a reason for it. Steel erection is one of the few things that can be done during the winter.
“In some ways, it may seem slow or consistent, but that is purposefully done,” said Hudson.
Hudson has “not had really any challenges” along the way, with one or two exceptions.
“The start of the job was a little slow, with getting all the permits, and the weather at the start was a little bit of a challenge,” Hudson admitted.
During the summer is when most of the brick and mortar is expected to be completed, and about a year from now, during next fall term, is when most of the interior design and decorating will happen. With that, the building will be completely finished by fall 2017.
One of the components Hudson is excited about is the large number of commons spaces. He has been involved in the planning this project for the last decade. When another college built a science center, Hudson and others would find out what worked and what didn’t work.
The new building will have four of glass-enclosed private areas (two per building) that look out over the space. The spaces are 10 feet by 30 feet – a new kind of “student village.”
For now the science center remains a pit, but a busy one at that.
