Construction Update: July 2006

A fence has been placed around the east, west, and north sides of the Library in preparation for the demolition this summer and the construction that will begin in the fall.  On the west, the fencing encloses both the North and South Wings.  The yard for the construction materials and construction trailers is in the fenced area between the Residence Dining Hall and the South Wing of the Library.  On the north, the Jane Addams statue in the Peace Garden has been covered to protect it (see photo).

The demolition of the North Wing will begin in August and take approximately one month to complete.  The building will be taken down piece by piece and the debris carted away.  There will be a media event at the beginning of the demolition, and there will be a ground breaking ceremony in early fall to celebrate the beginning of construction.

Services for Students with Disabilities moved out of their library space on June 12 and into the University Center Room 5 (the space formerly occupied by Carl’s Jr.).

In June, Plant Operations personnel spent several weeks removing salvageable items from the North Wing.  Items such as lock sets, plumbing fixtures, telephones, electrical panels, and lights will be used elsewhere on campus.  On June 21 the fire wall doors that separate the North and South Wings were lowered.  The North Wing is now officially closed.

Abatement of hazardous materials and underground utility rerouting must be completed before the demolition of the North Wing.  This work is scheduled to be done during July.

The emblematic architectural feature of the new building will be an elliptical glass and steel tower rising from the ground floor through the fourth floor.  A mockup of the design of the exterior treatment of this feature will be built for viewing sometime before the end of the year.

Library hours now and throughout the new library construction:

Monday – Thursday                7:45 am – 8 pm
Friday                                      7:45 am – 5 pm
Saturday                                 Closed
Sunday                                   1 – 5 pm (summer hours)
Sunday                                   1 - 8 pm (regular semester hours)    

The area of the new library will be more than 325,000 square feet, making it the largest library ever constructed solely for the CSU system.  The $95 million project will reinforce the Library’s importance as the major academic resource for the region.

For more information, call Susan Mangini at 278-5792.