Daily Egyptian Spring 04
Spring '04 Edition
Altgeld Hall construction almost at end
Rachel Lindsay
Daily Egyptian
Students returning in the fall will no longer be forced to give Altgeld Hall a wide berth. The long renovation is almost at an end.
Three years and $11.9 million later, the building will finally be ready to once again house the University music program. With new soundproof walls, decorative tiles and finishing and a 22,000 square-foot addition, Altgeld has been redesigned to fit the program's needs.
"This is a highly acoustically orientated project," said Harold Hennis, the project's supervisor.
The renovation project began in June 2001 but hit a snag shortly after it began. Asbestos was found, which delayed excavation. The next problem came when the asbestos removal contractor had to be terminated for inability to complete the job, causing a six-month delay while the University scrambled to find someone to take over the job, according to Phil Gatton, director of Plant and Service Operations.
Because of the delay, Hennis said the actual contractors were not allowed in on time, putting everything behind schedule. He credited the rest of the delays to the weather.
"There are certain things that are very much affected by weather," he said. "Say the roofing ˜ if it's too cold, you can't put it on. If you can't put the roofing on, you can't do other items, so it's like a snowball effect."
In addition to the building renovation, an attachment will add space and connect Altgeld Hall to Shryock Auditorium for easy access during performances.
According to Hennis, while the project is not due to officially end until mid-July, Janko Building Company will turn over the hall to the University on June 23.
Gatton said the University would begin moving in about the first week of July, whether the project was fully completed.
"We have to move in that date because of the multiple moves that are required after we move," he said. "We've got temporary space right now for the Altgeld Hall occupants, and we need that space for the library renovations."
Gatton said the temporary space in the Northwest Annex, the Old Baptist Foundation and the University Courts that has been used to house the University music program is now needed for other projects. University Courts will become the new studio space for the School of Art and Design, whose current building is scheduled to be torn down.
"It's a big mess," he said. "We've got moves going all different directions, and it's all predicated on getting Altgeld Hall completed."
Although the situation may seem a little cramped for time, Gatton said there has been enough done for the University to at least move in. He said the upstairs office space is about 95 percent complete, while the first floor is 75 percent to 80 percent complete and moving along quickly.
Although the project is slightly more than one year behind schedule, Gatton said it has not cost much more beyond the original estimated price. The original estimates called for $574,000 for the design process, another $10.5 million for the actual project and $800,000 for new equipment.
Although there has been uncertainty about the project's end, Gatton said the one thing he was certain of was students would be able to have their classes in Altgeld Hall in the fall.
"I think when it gets all said and done, people are going to be very pleased with the way that building's going to look," he said. "The inside of the building is first class. It's really going to be received well, I think, by the campus community."
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Last update: Tuesday, May 4, 2004 at 3:00:50 AM
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