Get an inside look at the North Quad construction in this DN photo gallery.
Almost five months into the North Quad renovation and the heavy equipment, hard workers and building rubble still surround the large project.
While the demolition work is complete on the west end of the North Quad, the construction will continue into 2011 after crews finish all three phases on construction.
Jim Lowe, director of Engineering, Construction and Operations, said the construction was separated into three phases.
The first phase, he said, which is currently in progress, will eliminate the old library area of North Quad.
"We are in the process of installing mechanical updates as well as electrical and plumbing updates," he said. "The infrastructure updates will be hidden after the finish work, such as walls, floors and ceilings, are done in December."
Lowe said installing items such as ductwork and pipes take longer.
Phase 1 construction should be completed by December, where crews can take advantage of the Winter Break and move faculty, staff and students back into the building for the Spring Semester, Lowe said.
Michael Maggiotto, dean of the College of Sciences and Humanities, has his office in North Quad. He said the renovation is a minor inconvenience and the effort is going smoothly.
"The cooperation between the builders and the faculty and staff in the building has been wonderful," he said. "We get frequent updates on what is going on and the builders and architects are responsive to questions. I couldn't be more pleased."
Maggiotto said there are still challenges.
"The challenges are noise principally and other minor inconveniences like entrances being blocked or routes changed, but they are really minor," he said. "I think under the circumstances understanding that we are in a building that is being renovated, the crews are being accommodating, and we are quite grateful for the outcome of having a renovated building in two years."
Phase 2 will include the renovation of the middle section of the building, and Phase 3 will update the east side of the building.
Lowe said he hopes students will be patient as construction continues over the next year and are aware of the large equipment in the area.
"We are trying to work with the needs of the students because it is a heavily traveled corner [the west side of North Quad]," he said. "We do have a lot heavy equipment in the area and hope they use caution. We want them to be patient, and we will keep them safe."
Lowe said he keeps faculty and staff in the building updated with construction effort because they are feeling firsthand the effects of construction in various phases.
"They [faculty] are certainly feeling the pain of construction within the building," he said.
Maggiotto said he appreciates that the crews are staying on track.
"They are on schedule, and that is another bonus because we are excited to be in our new home," he said.
The North Quadrangle, common referred to as North Quad, was built in 1926 to become a library and assembly hall for the university and the community. As one of the oldest buildings on campus, several new sections were added over the year.
The three-phase reconstruction project is just another facelift to the historic building. The renovation will be completed in Spring 2012, Lowe said.
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