Jim Lowe has overseen the hallmark renovation and construction projects to beautify Ball State University during the past two decades.
He's overseen the renovation of McKinley Avenue and construction of the David Letterman Communication and Media Building, Shafer Tower and the Art and Journalism Building.
Lowe, the director of engineering and operations at Ball State, said the credit of these almost 20 projects goes to a team of university officials in Business Affairs, Finance, Housing, Dining and Academics.
"As exciting as this is, this is a team effort," he said. "If those folks weren't in place, it would be difficult for us to do our job."
During the past five years, Facilities Planning has been involved in more projects than in the last 10 to 15 years combined, Lowe said.
At a time when the university's operating budget has been cut by 7.6 million, construction projects are still going strong. This is because funding for construction comes from separate accounts.
Housing projects are self-funded and academic and administrative buildings require funding and approval by the Commission for Higher Education and the General Assembly, Lowe said.
On a typical day, Lowe reviews with contractors, visits construction sites and inspects projects — pressurizing pipes and making observational tests.
During renovations to Scheumann Stadium, Lowe said he and his crew worked from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. most days.
"A lot of projects come down to the wire," he said.
The best part about his job, Lowe said, is seeing the finished project.
He said two weeks ago he was walking in the area between Woodworth and DeHority complexes, and he was happy to see all the students out in the green space between the buildings. He said he hopes to see that same kind of activity around Kinghorn Hall and see the whole area become well-traveled by students.
Ball State is on the leading edge with the size and use of the geothermal project, Lowe said, which is something he's proud of. Along the way, Facilities Planning has learned from other institutions, and Lowe said he plans to share what Ball State has learned with others. Once the project is completed, it will replace four coal boilers with steam boilers. The process is cheaper and reduces emissions, Lowe said.
For Facilities Planning, beautification efforts are ongoing. Lowe said he's proud of the renovations to McKinley Avenue, and on May 10, he'll start a similar renovation project on Neely Avenue. Like the renovations done to McKinley, Neely Avenue is going to be turned into mud and dirt in the rebuilding process.
"When completed, it will be an attractive entrance to campus," he said.
Lowe said he gives credit to his predecessors — Tom Spangler, former associate vice president of Business Affairs; Phil Sachtleben, associate vice president of governmental relations; and Tom Morrison, former associate director of University Finance.
"These are names that have come and gone and we hope will never be forgotten," he said.
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