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Board Appoints Design Firm for Dorm Renovations
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Michigan Technological University's Board of Control today (Friday, March 14) accepted a $3.2 million proposal from Boldt/Hammel Green Abrahamson/U.P. Engineers and Architects to provide design and construction management services for the renovation of Wadsworth Hall.
The three-firm partnership brings together representatives from Boldt Construction of Appleton, Wis.; Hammel, Green and Abrahamson, an architectural engineering firm based in Minneapolis; and U.P. Engineers and Architects, of Houghton.
The remodeling is slated to begin in May 2004. The $31.3 million project will take about two years to complete, said William Blumhardt, director of facilities management at Michigan Tech.
Extensive changes are on the drawing board.
"We want to provide the residents with a more-modern residence hall that offers more privacy in the restrooms, as well as laundry rooms and community areas with kitchenettes on each floor," said John Rovano, Michigan Tech's director of residential services. "In addition to fire sprinklers, we'll be addressing a number of other safety issues."
Wiring will be upgraded to accommodate the numerous electronic devices students now bring to campus. Handicapped accessibility will be improved, and the dining services will be revamped, so food can be prepared to order.
Students will have more space, including more storage space. "And we'll replace furniture in student rooms," Rovano said.
With 1,160 beds, Wadsworth Hall is the University's largest residence hall. It was originally constructed in in 1955, with additions in 1961 and 1966. The renovations will be completed in several phases so that no more than 200 beds will be taken out of use at any given time.
A major telephone service breakdown nearly shut down the Board in mid-meeting. Board Member Claude Verbal was attending via a phone connection to Arizona when a break in SBC's fiber-optic cable in Nestoria interrupted all service outside the Houghton area. With Verbal suddenly absent, the Board lost its quorum and was unable to conduct business for about an hour. He later rejoined the meeting when MTU telecommunications staff set up a cell phone linking him with the Board's electronic sound system.
In other business, the Board
* accepted the low bid of Rehman Robson to serve as the University's auditor. The accounting firm bid $270,000 for the five-year contract.
* tabled action on a proposal to amend the academic calendar. The administration is supporting a calendar with 14-week semesters that has broad support among the faculty. The Undergraduate Student Government opposes the change. Currently, Michigan Tech's calendar has two 15-week semesters. |
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