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Complex construction makes strides

According to Lex Akers, dean of the Caterpillar College of Engineering, construction for the new Business and Engineering Complex is on schedule.
Concept design via Bradley University

The previous home to business students was sacrificed for something greater this past summer, as Bradley executed the construction of the Business and Engineering Complex in place of Baker Hall. Displaced business students have used Campustown classroom accommodations, while the building is constructed until the determined completion date of 2019.

According to Lex Akers, dean of the Caterpillar College of Engineering and Technology, construction of the building has been efficiently following plans.

“Construction is right on time, so the date [for completion] has not changed,” Akers said. “The main portion of the building will be completed in the summer of 2019. Both engineering and business students will begin class in their new building in the fall of 2019.”

The project appears to be successful due in part to both sound logistics and a strong commitment to the construction of the building from the workers involved, according to Akers.

“I am just amazed at the orchestration of all the things that have to occur sequentially,” Akers said. “Just the other day, I was looking outside my office window and saw a group of engineers working in below zero weather, which shows [their commitment]. It is amazing to see everything orchestrated in ‘just-In-time’ fashion.”

Currently, the project is still in its early construction phase, but Akers said he has noticed visible progress.

“So far they have laid the foundation, made the basement and walls and constructed the structure necessary for a first floor to be built, which is the next step,” Akers said. “Overall, it is about 20 percent complete.”

As for the engineering department’s current home, Jobst Hall, students will attend a couple more semesters in its classrooms, according to Akers.

“Students will have class in Jobst for one more year,” Akers said. “They will tear down the building in the fall of 2019.”

With any large-scale construction project comes large-scale finances, and Akers said those in charge of the Business and Engineering Complex understand this aspect.

“Construction so far is within budget and is expected to not exceed the budget anytime in the future,” Akers said.

Students on campus also see progress made in the Business and Engineering project and look forward to the day they can step inside the $120 million dollar complex. One of those students is sophomore finance major, Kyle Forti.

“It is cool seeing [the building] progress, knowing it will actually be finished in time” Forti said. “I can’t wait to be able to have classes inside [of the Business and Engineering complex] once I’m a senior and I’m glad I get to have classes there instead of Campustown.

It may be a bit too early to count down the days until the complex reaches completion, but underclassmen are rejoicing in the knowledge that the moment will come within their stay at Bradley.

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