Memorial Hall Update - July 2009
Posted: Wednesday, July 1, 2009 @ 8:00 AM
The final phase of the Memorial Hall project continues. This portion of the project will provide: remodeling of the interior, installation of new elevator core onto the south façade of the building, and updated mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems.
Note: To access University Television on the fourth floor, please enter the single door entry on the north side of Memorial adjacent to the satellite dishes at Sallee.
Current project activities:
- All project contractors have commenced construction activities on all floors of the building.
- Interior demolition phase is approximately 70% complete. This activity includes the removal of:
- flooring, walls & ceilings
- lighting, plumbing, and heating equipment & its support infrastructure
- technology wiring
- Exterior demolition is 90% complete.
- Installation of new construction material on multiple floors.
Future Project Activities:
- Completion of demolition is approximately 70% complete.
- Removal of existing building items allows contractors to continue conducting remodeling project responsibilities
- The existing elevator in Memorial will be demolished in July.
- All project contractors, including Fire Protection, have begun installing new construction material as demolition activity approaches completion.
- Excavation and drilling the new concrete structural caissons, for new elevator core, is forthcoming in the area this summer.
Note #2: Some of the south exterior wall was removed to aid the removal of interior demolition material from Memorial. As remodeling activity continues, and the project is complete, this area will become the location of the new elevator core. The core will contain two, (2) new elevators.
It is cautioned that it is the State, (CDB) and not the Physical Plant which controls the progress of Capital projects in Illinois. The Physical Plant does not anticipate further project delays in the schedule and is only providing its best estimate of project schedule in all updates provided.
Questions concerning the renovation project may be directed to:
Michael Hott, Architectural Superintendent
Telephone: 298-1834, Ext. 249
Email: MA-Hott@wiu.edu
Bill Brewer, Assistant Director of Physical Plant
Telephone: 298-1834, Ext. 272
Email: WE-Brewer@wiu.edu
Memorial Hall Renovation Facts
The State of Illinois Capital Development Board (CDB) and the Governor's Offices of Management and Budget (GOMB) exclusively control the pace at which all state funded capital projects are funded, designed, and constructed.
The CDB strictly regulates what may and may not be included in a capital project. These stringent State rules restrict or prohibit expenditures on temporary relocation costs, furnishings, equipment and some forms of communication wiring.
Capital projects typically do not experience delays by the CDB or GOMB once funding is appropriated by the State General Assembly. Because of poor economic conditions beginning in fall 2001, the Memorial Hall project has experienced several minor delays and one major project stoppage of 12 months.
Most building renovation projects only involve one or two academic departments who temporarily relocate and return to a completely renovated facility. The Memorial Hall renovation is complicated by its impact on 15 diverse user groups representing academic departments and service departments. Some of these departments will be permanently relocated out of Memorial, some will be being relocated to Memorial for the first time, and some will remain in Memorial during construction. In terms of scheduling logistics and project planning, the Memorial Hall renovation would be rated the most difficult of all construction projects. As one the Governor's chosen Economic Development Initiatives, the Memorial Hall renovation is one of only a few fully funded capital projects granted to a State University since January, 2002.
