Bradley will continue to see renovations on campus with several construction projects throughout the semester.
“I’ve been here 25 years, and it’s the most [construction] we’ve done [at once] by far,” Facilities Management Director Ron Doerzaph said.
Currently, construction is being done on the Hayden Clark Alumni Center, Geisert cafeteria, Neumiller Hall and Westlake Hall. Construction has just finished in Olin and Marty Theater. In addition, work will start on Heitz and University Hall this summer.
“[Neumiller] was outdated and the lighting wasn’t very good,” freshman civil engineering major Leah Anderson. “Now it’s a better learning environment and the pullout desks are more convenient. It’s just overall better. I like it.”
Freshman education major Megan Hickey said Neumiller was in need of a change.
“I went to a bunch of lectures [last semester] and the chairs and desks were really gross,” she said. “You could tell it was really old.”
Although there are several projects, Doerzaph said everything is on schedule.
The Hayden-Clark Alumni Center should be completed by late spring, he said. The building is now enclosed, allowing the completion of unfinished tasks such as installing dry wall, painting, interior finishes, lighting and ceiling work. Doerzaph said Westlake should be enclosed by next winter and completed by summer 2012.
“What you’ll see now is the ceiling going up,” he said. Another building on campus being expanded is Geisert Hall. Construction that started over winter break should be done by the fall semester, said Doerzaph.
Because of the cold weather, he said workers are “just doing whatever [they] can,” and have currently relocated the sewers and started the foundation.
Doerzaph said that Heitz Hall will be completely renovated and will be completed by Fall 2012. “The only thing that will stay the same is the walls of the corridors,” said Doerzaph. “We’re hoping to get it done in two summers.”
Once completed, Heitz will have new bathrooms, furniture, windows, lighting, power and bigger dormitory rooms.
In addition, Bradley has plans to make Heitz safer and more accessible for those with disabilities. Sprinklers, better ventilation, an elevator and a wheelchair ramp will be added to the building, Doerzaph said.
University Hall will continue renovations this summer, updating the bathrooms on the A-side floors over the summer.
Doerzaph said new chairs and carpeting have been added to Olin’s auditorium, Neumiller and Marty Theater.
