Online Forty Niner: v8n12: Fine Arts Buildings still continue to be updated

In the first of its four phases, the project is being staggered to accommodate the College of the Arts, said Scott Charmack, associate vice president of physical planning and facilities management.

"It's being done over 22 months so we don't completely shut down the art program," Charmack said. "We're making major modifications to accommodate the art programs. There are major renovations and seismic work on all the buildings, as well as plumbing, heating and air conditioning work."

Three additional construction projects will soon begin on campus including a new science building, an improved fire safety system and an enhanced telecommunications infrastructure.

The 88,000-square-foot science building will be located adjacent to Peterson Hall Science Building 3 on the north side of campus.

"The hill will disappear for a while during construction, but the science department needs it," Charmack said. "The first level will be built into the hill with walkways connecting it to Peterson Hall. The walkways will provide a safe way to transport materials, both physical and biological, between the buildings."

Charmack said the $32 million science project is expected to last 22 months.

The overall campus fire safety system will be improved with a $3.8 million upgrade to the fire detection systems in every building on campus.

The last major project of the fiscal year will be the telecommunications†upgrade. Charmack said bidding on the $17 million project will begin in January with work expected to begin in March and last two years.

"There will be a general fiber optic upgrade in every room on campus," Charmack said. "We will also build two small buildings for remote access equipment as well a lot of equipment and data routers."