Most of the renovations to Cullen Auditorium have been completed and measures are being taken to ensure the auditorium does not flood again. The renovations began after Cullen was flooded in mid-June.

Scot Colley, executive director of Risk Management and Construction, said the only part of the renovation that remains to be completed is the installation of new seats. He said all of the seats will be replaced over Christmas break.

“We’ve tried to extract the water so many times, so we redid it all,” he said. “Everything that got wet was torn out and replaced. The seats will be the last portion and that will be done over Christmas.”

The renovations included a new stage floor, walls, curtains and carpet.

Colley said Cullen has flooded several times.

In order to prevent Cullen from being flooded again, ACU Construction has raised curb elevations outside the auditorium 18 inches. Workers also tore out a ramp between Cullen and Moody Coliseum and put in drainage pipes to redirect surface drainage.

Colley said during heavy rain, water from the Hardin Administration Building parking lot, the Brown Library parking lot and the parking lot behind Cullen all flows toward the auditorium and floods in through the side doors. He said raising the curbs will divert the water. Workers are also extending the handicap exits out to make up for the increase in curb elevation.

Colley said he expects the work outside Cullen to be complete within two weeks.