Southeast Missouri State University student publication

Planned addition to Academic Hall dome part of renovations

Monday, August 13, 2012
Work continued on Magill Hall throughout the summer. -Photo by Nathan Hamilton

Construction projects on campus that started last year continued while students left for summer break.

According to a university press release, on Aug. 6 the Board of Regents approved a plan to build a mezzanine between the third floor and the dome in Academic Hall. The purpose for renovating Academic Hall is to improve its failing infrastructure, make it more student-friendly and restore its historic corridors, stairwells and building exteriors. The allocated funds for the Academic Hall construction project were $22.8 million. The estimated cost of the mezzanine is $1.051 million.

"The $1.051 million is only for work in the dome itself," director of the Southeast News Bureau Ann Hayes said.

The expected completion date of the dome and Academic Hall is July 2013, according to a press release by the university.

In addition to the announced plans for Academic Hall's dome, several projects were finished at the Student Recreation Center-North.

The Student Aquatic Center, located inside the Student Recreation Center-North, was closed from July 30 to Aug. 12 for work on the chlorination systems, work on the drainage gates and improvements to the ventilation.

The east gymnasium in the Student Recreation Center-North was closed from July 30 to Aug. 5. The aquatic center upgrades, flooring and curtain replacement projects total roughly $470,000, according to director of facilities management Angela Meyer.

The renovations this summer also included repairs to the sidewalks around campus, according to the university website.

Work continued on Magill Hall during the summer, as well.

"The addition is complete as well as the east half of the existing facility," Meyer said. "These areas will be open for the start of classes this fall."

The roadway between Magill and Rhodes Hall will be under construction until fall 2013.

Other construction work over the summer included work on the dining facilities on campus. Starbucks will replace the Beanery Cafe in the University Center and a Subway will open in Scully Building. According to Hayes, both are expected to be completed during the fall semester.

Also, the bathrooms in the University Center will be renovated.

"The UC bathroom project is currently out for bid," Meyer said.

Various construction projects will continue throughout the 2012-2013 academic school year.

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