More Than $40 Million in Improvements and Repairs Completed Over Summer at UMass Amherst
Aug. 28, 2008
| Contact: | Daniel J. Fitzgibbons 413/545-0444 |
AMHERST, Mass. – As work on several major building projects continued this summer at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, more than $40 million in safety, building and infrastructure improvements and repairs were also in progress across the campus.
Safety-related projects included the installation of sprinkler systems and upgraded emergency lighting and fire alarms in several residence halls and other campus buildings, according to Jim Cahill, director of facilities and campus planning.
The work was in addition to major projects such as the construction of the Central Heating Plant, Integrated Sciences Building and the Recreation Center as well as the renovation of Skinner Hall.
Other improvements ranged from laboratory renovations and repairs to building facades to roof replacements, the reconstruction of a parking lot and overhauls of classrooms. The projects were supported by state and federal funds, the University of Massachusetts Building Authority and campus monies.
One of the smaller new construction projects is the new $5 million PVTA Transit Center, which is being built with $4 million in federal funds plus campus monies. The facility will house buses operated by the UMass Transit Service, a driver training area and a regional traffic information center. The center is expected to be completed in November, according to Shane Conklin, deputy director of facilities and campus planning.
A new nanotechnology center, equipped with a clean room and additional labs, was built in the Conte Polymer Research Center for $2.9 million in state matching funds to a federal grant.
At the Lederle Graduate Research Center, an $8 million waterproofing and fa?ade repair project was completed in June. The second phase of biochemistry lab renovations on the 12th floor is in progress and the $800,000 project should be completed by February. A new cooling tower was installed on the lowrise section of the building for $1.3 million and a new chemical dumbwaiter is being installed for $500,000 in the tower. The dumbwaiter will provide safer transport of chemicals, said Conklin.
Work is continuing on the modernization of elevators in Herter, Thompson and Tobin halls at a total cost of $1.5 million.
A $2 million project to install a wireless fire alarm system connecting the entire campus is nearing completion.
Sprinklers were installed in five residence halls in the Central Residential Area (Baker, Butterfield, Chadbourne, Gorman and Greenough). The five residence halls also received handicapped entrances and bathrooms as well as life-safety improvements, all for a cost of $6.5 million.
According to Ted Mone, associate director of housing and residence life for operations, 76 percent of residence hall bed space is now protected by sprinkler systems. “This program will continue through a priority sequence of sprinkler system installations developed in conjunction with environmental health and safety, the Amherst Fire Department and facilities and campus planning,” said Mone. Five more residence halls will be outfitted with sprinklers next summer.
Improved fire alarm systems were installed in Berkshire, Hampshire and Middlesex houses at a cost of $600,000 and sprinklers are being installed in the Student Union. The $875,000 project is slated for completion in October. Emergency power and lighting systems were upgraded in Cance House and Moore House at a cost of $300,000.
Work is just beginning on new fire alarm and emergency light systems in Boyden Gym. The project has a $1.6 million price tag.
Fernald and Goodell halls also received new emergency lights and exits signs. The work in Fernald cost $200,000 and Goodell cost $300,000. Installation of sprinklers in Goodell is expected to start in January and continue through December, 2009.
Athletic facilities were also improved. New lights went in at McGuirk Alumni Stadium at a cost of $1.8 million and will debut Aug. 30 when the Minutemen open the football season versus Albany. The tennis courts behind the Mullins Center were resurfaced ($29,000) and new bleachers are being installed at Garber Field for $435,000 in campus and private donations. A new accessible press box at the field will be completed by December for an additional $140,000. A pedestrian tunnel under Commonwealth Avenue that connects Boyden Gym and the playing fields is scheduled for $371,000 in structural repairs. A new fence is being installed at the softball complex for $94,000.
The first phase of a multi-year project to replace the plumbing in the Fine Arts Center was completed with the installation of new pipes in the music wing at a cost of $2 million. The entire project is estimated at $6 million.
Classrooms in the Isenberg School of Management received $350,000 in improvements, including new flooring, carpeting and painting. A new $350,000 computer classroom was completed in Morrill Science Center III.
Accessibility projects with a value of $372,000 are nearing completion. These projects include the renovation of accessible toilet rooms in Tobin, Thompson and Lederle GRC lowrise as well as replacement of entry doors in the Campus Center Hotel lobby and the upgrade of the ramp to the plaza.
Electrical upgrades are in progress in Hasbrouck Lab. The $450,000 project is a prelude to planned improvements in heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems, which are in the design phase.
A $3 million project to connect Thatcher Way and Infirmary Way is under way. The project has temporarily closed the parking lot at University Health Services and a new lot will be available in October. However, the road is slated to open to traffic in December. The new street will provide an alternative route on the east side of campus since Stockbridge Road is scheduled to become a pedestrian area.
Roofs were replaced on several buildings, including Munson Hall ($600,000) and Crampton House ($350,000). Goodell is also receiving a new roof at a cost of $2 million while roofing replacement and fa?ade repairs to Bartlett Hall totaled $1.2 million. Some $2 million in structural repairs to Tobin Hall were finished. Brick repairs were made at Machmer Hall, which also received a new roof for a total of $425,000. Morrill Science Center received $400,000 in electrical upgrades and $800,000 in fa?ade repairs.
Parking lot 71, near the Whitmore Administration Building, was rebuilt to provide a new entrance and improve traffic. Handicapped and motorcycle parking areas were built and new lights were installed. The project cost $543,000.
Replacement of an aging underground steam line near Paige Lab, estimated at $5 million, is in progress.
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