SEMO renovations on schedule, with first phase about half done

A new school year has begun while the renovations at Southeast Missouri State University continue on schedule and on budget.

According to facilities management director Angela Meyer, projects completed over the summer included replacement of HVAC systems in group housing, new roofs for a dorm and an instruction building and updates such as a new scoreboard, lighting and turf for Houck Stadium. Those projects and many other smaller projects on the main campus and satellite campuses put the first phase in a long list of renovations at around 50 percent completed, Meyer said.

The university's board of regents approved spending $59.25 million in bonds in December with a goal of improving aging buildings and campus infrastructure.

Across campus, many changes are occurring. The two major renovations included in the bond projects, of Academic Hall and Magill Hall, are causing relocation of offices and class meeting locations.

In Academic Hall, offices of university officials and student services centers have been relocated or will relocate soon to allow for the replacement of electrical, mechanical, plumbing and fire protection systems and a modernization of office space.

Henderson Hall (Laura Simon)

Alissa Vandeven, assistant director of the university's human resources department, moved this week with her office staff from the bottom floor of Academic Hall to the fourth floor of Kent Library.

"Our space is good for now, and everything went really well," she said.

Although the offices in sections of Academic Hall will have a more modern look when the projects are completed in the summer of 2013, Meyer said the space will be a blend of old and new. The building's original woodwork, mosaic tile and wainscoting will remain.

The office suites will feature matching wood tones and have finishes that will complement the historical elements," Meyer said.

The university is prequalifying contractors before projects are bid out beginning in November to ensure delicate historical features will be protected during renovations.

Magill Hall of Science (Laura Simon)

"The mosaic tile and floors are of most concern because they are most difficult to protect," Meyer said.

The work inside the building will also include repairs to the auditorium balcony, which has a minimal structural problem on its underside.

Work inside Academic Hall will begin in January.

Bidding on a complete overhaul of Magill Hall begins Sept. 15. The first phase of work will be to construct an addition that will include new mechanical systems and extra classrooms, which Meyer said will come in handy while the rest of the building is being updated during the second phase of work.

To accommodate the ongoing asbestos abatement and other pending work at Magill Hall, student foot traffic has been rerouted around the building. Some classes have been moved to Johnson and Rhodes halls, while a few still meet in Magill.

Houck Field House, left, and Houck Stadium (Laura Simon)

Meyer said the new route and other changes were a bit of a challenge the first week of school, but she expects the next academic year will be the biggest challenge with Magill and Academic halls both out of service. Renovations at Magill Hall are also scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2013.

Upgrading continues

Work is ongoing for a project inside Memorial Hall that will give a new home to the information technology and the university server, both of which will move from Academic Hall. Close by, two generators will be added to aid the power at KRCU radio station, the server and backup for facilities. Meyer said the conversion from a coal to a natural gas power plant should also be in full swing by January.

While many large projects are being bid out to contractors, university construction staff are working on others, such as offices in the facilities management service center. Meyer said no additional staff has been hired to work on projects, but the university has not had to lay off workers like in years past.

Meyer said she thinks it is wonderful that the university is focusing on improving existing buildings instead of building new.

Harold O. Grauel Building (Laura Simon)

eragan@semissourian.com

388-3627

Pertinent address:

One University Plaza, Cape Girardeau, MO