Library, quad construction still underway.
By: Kurt Oberreither
– News Editor –
By: Mike Ziegler
– Photo Editor –
While students were busy getting their academic rest, construction around campus has been bustling all summer. Various construction projects have kept some areas of campus closed off while improvements are made.
Some of the larger projects include a new library roof, parking lot paving, sidewalk replacement and renovations in the Business Administration building.
The library books were sealed for the summer and the scaffolding was erected for summer construction on the roof. Construction of the library’s new roof began the week after spring finals and will continue through the summer.
Patrick Mallory, library supervisor, said the library had a number of leaks, and it’s fortunate to have a new one installed preventing more disastrous leaks.
“It’s a short-term disruption but a long-term solution,” Mallory said. “The library should be back in order by the time students come back to school in the fall.”
As part of the project, scaffolding blocked access to the second floor of the library, and a temporary ceiling was put in place while roof construction was ongoing.
Reference Librarian Janice Hovis said the closed floor has left some students shocked but, it needed to be done.
Student Sophie Freise said she usually uses the computers upstairs to study. She said their absence caused a longer wait time for the lower computers.
“The worst part is not having as many accessible books to check out,” Freise said.
While some popular books have been relocated to the bottom floor, others can be ordered from other STLCC campuses or through Mobius. This system allows the library access to other academic libraries throughout Missouri. Ordered books take one to two days to arrive from other campuses and longer through Mobius.
Sidewalks near the library and in the quad were also replaced as part of summer construction and annual maintenance. A new sidewalk between lots “F” and “G” is also part of the project as well as smaller concrete repair work around campus. Costs for the work totaled $25,750 according to bid documents in the June 2011 board of trustees meeting minutes.
According to bid documents listed in the May 2011 board of trustees meeting minutes, a new roof is slated for construction in Applied Science West totaling $200,543 in construction costs.
To keep in line with student center renovations, sprinkler systems in the cafeteria were updated over the summer said Chef Jeff Goldstein.
“That was the first nine days of June,” Goldstein said. “What we could, we moved into [SC] 125 during construction so we kept food service going while we were under construction.”
Chef Jeff said future changes for the cafeteria will offer fresh options for breakfast and lunch. Other additions around campus include new furniture outside the library and vending machines with credit card readers.
