By Kyle Peveto, Page Editor
Scaffolding that obstructed views of the Biblical Studies Building since summer came down Monday.
The scaffolding, built for crews to clean the mildew and stains that covered the building, became an eyesore, many students had said, and those who realized it was gone expressed pleasure seeing the white roof and sides of the building clean for the first time in years.
“I’m definitely happy to see the Bible building clean,” said Suzie MacKenzie, senior computer science major from Fort Worth. “I walk by the Bible building probably three or four times a day, so it’s so nice to see it all white and pretty.”
Seeing the scaffolding daily obstructing the building, a key landmark at the front of campus, bothered many students.
“I was really bummed the last couple of weeks to look at the beauty of ACU, and all I’d see were these metal poles,” said Chris Munn, sophomore social work major from Ennis.
Others were more tolerant of the structure shielding the building.
“It was all right for a while because I’d never seen it complete,” said Todd Freeman, freshman psychology major from The Woodlands.
The scaffolding appeared this summer after the university received donations to clean mold that had formed on the top and sides of the limestone building and the Tower of Light since 1989, when the structures were completed. The project cost about $430,000 paid with gifts.
Crews cleaned the grout and stone, applied two sealants to the structures and installed some windows along the arch of the building. Delays from incorrectly manufactured glass and rain testing caused delays in the finalization of the cleanup.
The sealants were applied in different directions to ensure the cleanup would not be needed for at least 10-15 years, said Kevin Watson, chief administrative services officer, in an August e-mail.
The scaffolds had some students upset enough to circulate a petition asking for the structure to be removed last month.
Though some did not realize the scaffolding was taken down, most were happy to see the structures clean.
“I’m glad to have the scaffolding down,” said Kent Brantly, Biblical studies graduate student from Indianapolis. “I didn’t notice until it was about halfway down, but I think it looks worlds better.”
