Construction Update: February 2007

The groundbreaking for the library renovation was on September 25th, 2006 and since then the excavation has been completed; 29,000 cubic yards of dirt have been carted off campus leaving a hole that is 130 yards long, nearly 47 yards wide and almost 15 feet deep!   The retaining wall system is in place and the footings for the building are partially poured.  A lack of rainy days in Fresno this winter has allowed the project to proceed on schedule!

In December, this $95-million project was augmented with a $10-million gift from Table Mountain Rancheria (TMR).  These additional funds will provide enhancements in Native American themes to the architecture and furnishings, e.g. lattice work on the elliptical element to portray a basket weave texture and a woven metal treatment on the steps of the grand staircase.  Native grasses will also be incorporated into the landscaping.

In January the bids for the library shelving were reviewed.  The $4.7 million contract for shelving will be awarded to Spacesaver Corporation of Wisconsin.

Currently there are about 35 construction workers on site.  The forms for the basement walls are under construction.  The walls will be shot with cement (shotcreted) beginning January 31st.  Once these walls are in place, the basement floor concrete will be poured in sections.  The building will begin to arise from the basement in March with the erection of the structural steel.

The library is scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2008 at a cost of $105million, which includes Table Mountain's $10 million gift.

Questions or concerns, contact Sydney Jackson at 278-7167 or syjackson@csufresno.edu