Those on campus this summer have probably noticed an increase in traffic barriers and hard hats as there are several projects in the works.
The Daily News sat down with Jim Lowe, associate vice president for facilities planning and management,, to get an update on current and future construction projects.
McKinley Avenue
Construction to realign McKinley Avenue began May 7 and is expected to be completed Aug. 10.
RELATED: McKinley Avenue to be closed May 7 to Aug. 10
“They are, what I can see, making great progress to maintain that schedule,” Lowe said.
Health Professions Building
Construction is expected to finish summer 2019 to allow an adjustment period before the fall semester begins.
“We do what we call commissioning, so as we move folks in, we train, we turn systems on, make sure systems are operating,” Lowe said. “You have to, in advance to the fall semester, you have to take three months or so just to make sure the systems are operating properly, faculty know how to operate the new equipment and so forth.”
Lowe also said they university is on schedule to start moving faculty into the building around June of 2019.
Don Shondell Practice Center
This building is almost complete. Lowe said facilities is just finishing “punch list” items.
RELATED: Ball State breaks ground on Dr. Don Shondell Practice Center
“We go around with a clipboard and say, ‘You’ve got this to finish, this to finish and this to finish. Finish these 20 items and we’re done,’” Lowe said.
New York Avenue Parking Garage
After the $12.6 million parking garage was approved by the Board of Trustees in March, Lowe said construction is expected to begin in August.
RELATED: Board of Trustees approves new parking structure
“When you look at the reposition of Emen’s parking being replaced by New York Avenue Parking Garage, it’s in that same geographical location,” Lowe said. “In many ways, I find its access to be better because it’s off New York versus weaving through campus.”
Lowe said the new garage will be easier for people to use, have a few more spaces, bike parking stalls, a greenwall to grow vegetation and a walkway to the center of campus.
Once the New York Avenue Parking Garage is completed, the Emen’s Parking Garage will turn into a green space, but Lowe said the exact purpose of the green space is still being determined.
Flooding
Buildings that sit in a low area or have a ramp leading to the lower levels have been an issue during times of heavy rainfall.
RELATED: University aims to reduce floodwater problems
Lowe said facilities has added more drainage pumps and safety devices to a few buildings and various parts of campus that are in low areas.
“Most of those locations we have incorporated something that has improved our ability to keep the rain water out,” Lowe said.
Five years from now
By 2023, Lowe hopes to finish the East Quad, Foundational Science Building, New York Avenue Parking Garage, Multicultural Center, portions of the East Mall, north residential halls, a new dining facility and McKinley Avenue will be realigned.
Lowe said attention will then be focused toward Cooper Physical and Life Science Building, and determining what to do with properties purchased by Ball State, like Northside Middle School.
Contact Andrew Smith with comments at ajsmith15@bsu.edu or on Twitter @AndrewSmithNews.
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