By Jonathan Smith, Editor in Chief
Construction on Burford Music Center will continue for the remainder of the semester and into the summer but remains on schedule for a July completion, according to university administrators.
Kevin Watson, associate vice president for Administrative Services, said the interior of the building has been gutted and is ready for new construction, and Bob Nevill, director of Physical Resources, said the construction crews are focusing on completing the foundation for the building expansion.
The Burford Center has been unused by students for the past three years, but when the university announced the creation of the College of Education and Human Services last semester, it selected Burford as the building to house the new college’s administration and the Department of Education.
Crews began remodeling Burford in October to prepare it for its new use. The university’s plan to open the new college next semester set a completion date for the approximately $3 million remodeling project.
“We need to have the construction portion of the project completed by July 15 in order for us to have time to move the faculty and staff into the building and get it set up.”
As part of the remodeling, the building will be expanded to 18,500 square feet, and it will receive a new front and back faA ade. The remodeled building will include offices for college administrators and the Department of Education staff, five classrooms, three conference rooms and an expanded curriculum room.
Before construction could continue shortly after it began in October, crews had to remove asbestos from the building. Asbestos, used in materials like insulation, was regularly used in construction until researches discovered those who worked asbestos could develop diseases like lung cancer when they inhaled the fibers. The university was required to safely remove the asbestos before continuing with the remodeling.
Watson and Nevill said nothing has surfaced or been discovered that would delay the completion of the project.
The student parking lot between Bennett Gymnasium and McKinzie Hall has been blocked since major construction began on Burford. Unfortunately for the freshman men who live in McKinzie and others who normally park there, Watson said that lot will remain blocked while construction takes place.
