Construction is currently ongoing behind the Blackwell Hall area on the north side of campus. Kimberly Bass, Project Manager for the construction project, explained the work revolves around the campus-wide steam pipe system. She said the system is undergoing improvements and the Blackwell Hall project is the latest in fixing the system "a section at a time."
Work on the North Header Steam Project began in mid-June 2011 and will continue through March 2012. Bass explained the process of rebuilding a section of steam pipe and the stream tunnels located underground across campus includes putting in new steam piping as well as control valves. This often includes digging up large amounts of earth since the improvements are made to items underground.
Even though this particular project calls for it, Bass said, "We might not always have a tunnel to repair." Only some areas through the campus' steam pipe system include a tunnel. This specific section houses a main tunnel spanning about six feet deep. This is a tunnel worker's maneuver through when maintenance work is required.
Bass said one of the points to the improvement involves giving employees as much "ease of access" to the workspaces as possible. The work is being done by J.E. Jamerson & Sons from Appomattox, Va.
The work conducted at Blackwell is not the same as what was done to the steam piping behind Greenwood Library on Race St. earlier this year. That work was strictly part of the New Bedford Hall addition, said Facilities Planner Jerry Jerome.
The piping in the area leads directly to the new Heating Plant on campus, which officially opened two weeks ago. There is another tunnel in the area of construction leading from the middle of Blackwell to Graham Hall, which houses Disability Resources and Parking Services.
One of the reasons improvements are underway is simply due to the age of the pipes. "Over time, all things need to be repaired or replaced," Bass said.
The currently gated off location is used to house 17 faculty and staff parking places. Once the construction project is finished next year, the spaces will be converted to a pedestrian plaza. One end will connect to Beale Plaza at Ruffner Hall, where the fountain is located, and the other end will connect to the new French Hall.
Bass and Jerome both said they hope the plan will go through, but said the final funding plans have not received full approval yet. They said the plaza is the same concept as the plaza in front of the Health & Wellness Center. This is part of the university's master plan in converting a number of pavement areas into pedestrian plazas.
As far as the Bedford project on the other end of campus, Bass said renovations are commencing on the old building. She said they will take "great care" in maintaining the look of the structure, but said the inside will have a "completely different function" upon completion.
