Submitted Graphic
Artist drawling of how the completed renovation project will look.
Wayne Allen
PDT Staff Writer
Shawnee State University (SSU) has started a $1.2 million renovation project on Founder’s Plaza that is expected to last through October.
Founder’s Plaza is the area between the Rhodes Athletic Center and the Administration Building.
According to Butch Kotcamp, Director of Facilities, Planning and Construction for SSU, they hope to start setting up construction perimeters within the next couple of days.
“One of the first things we have to do is get in there and mark all of the utilities, there is a lot of stuff underground in that area we have to be careful about,” Kotcamp said.
He said the scope of work includes demolition of all of the failed concrete.
“Our goal is to get in there dig out the bad soil. Over the years, there has been some bad soil under there that’s rotted and decayed and caused constant movement in that area,” Kotcamp said. “Once all of that is removed we want to do some compaction so the soil will stay in place for 30 years, so we will have to fight moving concrete.”
He said other work includes a renovation and expansion of the graduation platform and once finished, the plaza will include a fountain, a clock tower and a number of other renovations.
“It will be more of a plaza-type atmosphere than what is there now. (Currently) it’s a place where no one wants to hangout, because it’s unattractive,” Kotcamp said.
Kotcamp said the cost of the work is estimated to be about $1.2 million.
Kotcamp said there are three contractors on the project, Portco, Inc., of Portsmouth as the General Contractor, JM Miller Enterprises of Lucasville as the Electrical Contractor and B.B. & E., Inc., of Portsmouth as the Plumbing Contractor.
According to released information about the project, to allow room for construction crews, equipment, and materials, and provide a safe environment for all during construction, the area will be restricted resulting in a change in pedestrian traffic patterns for faculty, staff, students and visitors on campus.
From now through mid-August, access to the north side of the Rhodes Athletic Center and Administration Building will be restricted. The Athletic Center may be accessed from the south entrance and the Administration Building may be accessed from the north entrances of Massie Hall or from the south entrances of the building. In August, temporary entrances for both the Athletic Center and Administration Buildings will be opened.
A map showing the construction zone and flow of pedestrian traffic may be found at http://www.shawnee.edu/off/fac/pdf/founders-plaza.pdf.
For more information about Shawnee State University and it’s many programs and activities visit, www.shawnee.edu.
Wayne Allen may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 228, or tallen@civitasmedia.com. For breaking news, follow Wayne on Twitter @WayneallenPDT.
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