Monday, August 17, 1998
The University Daily Kansar
Section A·Page 7
Renovations revamp several campus areas
By Julio M. Sashs
Kansan staff writer
Much of the University of Kansas campus is under construction.
One of the largest projects in progress is the renovation in Allen Field House.
changes include renovated and improved concession areas and upgraded restrooms that would meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements, said Jim Modig, director of design and construction management.
Construction crews also are installing an elevator tower in the field house, are installing floor fixtures to eliminate tripping hazards and are making several electrical upgrades, Modig said.
The cost for these improvements would cost about $2,375,500. Modig said.
A new sports center separate from the field house is under construction. Modig said the building would house a new basketball and volleyball practice facility and also would be used for volleyball competitions.
Other sports areas also are under construction. Hoglund-Maupin Stadium is experiencing major renovations, Modig said.
Changes to the stadium include improvements to seating, restrooms and the dugouts. Modig said that the press box and suites also would
undergo construction.
Costs for the Hoglund-Maupin Stadium renovations are estimated at $1.3 million dollars and are scheduled for completion Oct. 1, Modig said.
Budig Hall once again is under construction. However, this time changes will be minor.
Renovation would affect only the library area, which is in the basement. Modig said that the changes include painting the walls and making ceiling and heating-system improvements.
Final costs for the Budig Hall project are estimated at $411,000.
"They are finishing up now." Modig said. "It will be open in mid-September."
One of the more prominent renovations occurring on campus includes the construction in Strong Hall.
Strong Hall renovations, now near completion, include the addition of new restrooms, said Douglas Riat, associate director of design and construction management.
"When we are making a new restroom, we are making it ADA acceptable," Riat said.
Safety improvements also would be added to the building. Riat said these improvements include new fire alarms throughout the building and new stairwell enclosures.
"The project is about 75 percent complete,"
Total costs for the renovations in Strong Hall are estimated at $1,776,877.
Riat said.
Other Renovations
Wesco Hall: improvement of handcapped facilities; estimated cost $43,000.
Blake Hall: Classroom renovations; estimated cost $71,000.
Green Hall: Classroom renovations; estimated cost $274,000.
Malait Hall: Classroom renovations; estimated cost $281,000. Lab renovations; estimated cost $483,000.
Memorial Stadium: Concrete constructional repairs and waterproof concourse package. Renovations of press box and suites; estimated cost not available.
Additional Strong Hall Renovations: Classroom renovations; estimated cost $202,000.
Primary electrical improvements on campus: estimated cost $463,000.
Continuing education moves out of campus building
By Jason Pearce
Kansan staff writer
After 33 years of occupying the three-story house north of the Kansas Union, the University of Kansas division of continuing education is moving into a newer building at 1515 St. Andrews Drive.
Maupintour, an international travel service, recently vacated the building.
The new building was purchased with $2 million in state bonds and $1.2 million from saved revenue and the sale of the division's downtown office. This process began more than a year ago when the division began seeking approval from the University, the Kansas Board of Regents and the Legislature.
The current location, first built as a Pi Beta Phi sorority house, holds administrative and business offices, but its post office is downtown and other services are spread among three annex buildings and a house on Indiana Street.
Robert Senecal, dean of continuing education, said the move would enable employees to share resources better and communicate more efficiently.
Eighty-three full-time employees and 10 part-time employees are scheduled to be working at the new location by Thursday.
"With everyone under one roof, we will be more effective in serving people," Senecal said.
Continuing education offers a variety of services, such as the recertification of numerous professional degrees, independent-study courses, academic outreach programs, conferences and seminars. But in the current location, it cannot have on-site training and conferences.
"We have a big responsibility to provide services to people who do not have the opportunity to come to campus," Senecal said.
The new building would solve this problem because it has a classroom, a conference room and expansion capabilities, he said.
"Our long-range plan involves someone donating money for the expansions," Senecal said. "In exchange, that person would have the building named in their honor."
Senecal said the expansion would include remodeling the office, adding four or five classrooms, a computer lab, an auditorium, a kitchen and an elevator.
is horrendous," he said.
"The demand at the Kansas Union and other places on campus for conference rooms right now
After the move, Senecal said he was looking forward to planning more noncredit courses.
"There will be many programming opportunities available down the road," he said.
Barbara Petersen, director of administration and budget, said the process of changing buildings had been fairly complex, but she had received help from numerous University divisions.
"Months of planning have been put into the transition." Peterson said.
Petersen, who is coordinating the move, said many of the phone numbers would remain the same and a computer network combining all facets of the division would be installed.
Petersen said the move would give employees an added perk.
"Everyone is looking forward to being able to talk to colleagues from other departments and actually work together," she said.
Parking at Oliver, Jayhawker Towers expanded, improved
By Seth Jones
Kansan staff writer
Even though most students were out of town this summer, the parking department stayed busy.
Improvements were made to the parking lots at Oliver Hall and Javhawker Towers.
The parking garage at Jayhawker Towers, which was in disrepair, was torn down and replaced with 217 new parking spots, up from 158 spots last year.
What used to be the circle drive area west of Oliver Hall has been expanded to accommodate more than 70 new parking spots, giving residents a total of 95 parking spaces in the new area.
"Not only is moving day going to be easier, but this will make Oliver Hall as a whole a nicer place to live," said Xavier Rice, Overland Park sophomore and Oliver Hall resident assistant.
Donald Kearns, director of parking, said that both the Oliver Hall and Jayhawker Towers projects were expensive.
"We've invested $300,000 into Oliver Hall parking and $760,000 into Jayhawker Towers parking." Kearns said. "This includes lighting, the basketball courts, everything. Not only will these lots be nicer, but they will, more importantly, be safer for the students."
Also, the lot at Jayhawker Towers will no longer be access from Irving Hill Road. This is another step to make the parking lot safer for students.
Oliver Hall residents need not worry about losing their basketball courts to these new spots, because a new order was made during the summer to save the courts. Student Body President Kevin Yoder called Chancellor Robert Hemenway, and together they worked on a plan to salvage one full court and two half courts.
"The basketball courts may not be ready until the end of August or the beginning of September, but they will be put back," Kearns said. "We are more concerned with being able to make the students move in."
The sand volleyball courts will be saved as well. Fred McElhenie, associate director of student housing. was happy with the changes.
"Even though this is more of a parking department project than a student-housing project, I'm happy it's done because it will improve the quality of living at these two places," McElhenie said.
Josh Welch, Hoisington senior, lived at Oliver Hall for three years.
"Iliked the circle drive Oliver had, and I'll miss it, just because it gave the place personality. The extra parking spots should make life easier on the students, though." he said.
Work on the parking lot at Oliver Hall was not completed until just before students moved in Saturday.