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news
Contaminated ground
raises safety concerns
By Larry W. Brunson,
Jr.
Summer On-line Forty-Niner
Waterproofing construction
has been taking place around the Social Science/Public Affairs
Building since July, and there have been rumors circulating
that the grounds near the building are contaminated, which
could be unsafe.
According to Scott
Charmack, associate vice president for Physical Planning and
Facilities Management, the construction is taking place around
the 25-year-old building because it is being waterproofed
for leaks, and they must get to the problem from the outside
of the building.
Anyone who has
taken classes in the basement of the SSPA building knows about
the leakage problems and flooding that usually takes place
during the rainy season. This new construction plans
to put a stop to water damage.
"We are hopeful
that the waterproofing works," Charmack said. "The
SSPA building sits on a high water-table which has also contributed
to the leakage and flooding problems in the basement."
According to Charmack,
the contamination problems were solved 12 years ago.
"It was diesel
fuel that leaked into the ground, but it was cleaned from
the fuel tank, and was removed 12 years ago," Charmack
said. "There wasn't much of a problem, they have to waterproof
then fill the dirt back in, and re-landscape the land and
make sure that the irrigation system is in tact."
This construction
project was supposed to be complete on Aug. 27, which is the
first day of classes.
However, the contractor
is behind schedule, and will need a few more days to complete
the job because the waterproofing is not the only project
that must be completed in the building.
"There have
been complaints that there wasn't enough air circulating through
the building, we will tear the ceiling and make new ducting
for air," Charmack said. "The previous ducting was
made from fiber and it deteriorated."
According to Charmack,
all of the methods that are being used to correct the problems
in the SSPA building make the most sense and are the best
ways to make the SSPA building a more comfortable place to
learn.
"This has
been one of the most problematic buildings on campus, especially
in the basement," Charmack said. "We are just hoping
that what we are doing will correct all the problems in the
future."
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