One of the largest efforts in years under way at Princeton University.
By: Jeff Milgram
Anyone who navigates the Princeton University campus knows that summer is high season for construction.
And a perfect storm of new construction and renovation is making this summer seemingly one of the busiest in several years, said Michael McKay, vice president for facilities.
While he doesn’t know how many construction workers are on campus, or how much money is being spent, Mr. McKay said "it feels like it’s" one of the busiest construction periods in recent memory because of the overlap of new construction and renovation.
On the north side of the campus, work is nearing completion on Chancellor Green and the finishing touches to the landscaping of the Andlinger Center for the Humanities. Crews also are working on the adjacent Firestone Plaza and exterior of Firestone Library.
Workers have replaced a roof on the underground addition to the library, below the plaza. They also are repairing the masonry on the front of the library and its tower.
The "ellipse dorm" near Poe and Pardee fields will be ready for occupancy by the time classes get under way on Sept. 8, Mr. McKay said. With its 222 beds, the new dorm, made up of quad, two-room doubles and single rooms and common areas, will help make up for the space lost with the renovation of Holder Hall.
Anyone who walks from the Dinky train station to the upper campus must pass through workmen installing "life safety" renovations sprinklers and upgraded fire alarms in Lockhart, Henry, Foulke and Laughlin halls.
"The plan is to finish" the work by September, Mr. McKay said.
Life safety renovations and reupholstered seats were installed in Alexander Hall, while landscaping work was done at Witherspoon Hall, Mr. McKay said.
Graduate students will find new quarters at the expanded Lawrence Apartments, but the 12-story Lawrence high-rise will be closed for renovations this year.
Ground was broken for Whitman College, near the former Pagoda Tennis Courts between Baker Rink and Dillon Gymnasium. It is scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2007.
Work will begin this fall on the futuristic science library on Washington Road and Ivy Lane, designed by Frank Gehry. The library is scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2006.
Other projects worked on this spring and summer are:
Internal renovations at the Engineering Quadrangle, which will involve an addition to the main floor of the C-wing for a café.
A major renovation of and addition to Burr Hall that is expected to take two years. When completed, the building will house humanities departments.
Renovations of Jones Hall and Clio Hall that will close those buildings for one year.
An alteration of the boiler house on Elm Drive, which is no longer used to generate power. The brick addition on the front of the building will be demolished, leaving the collegiate gothic architecture in place. Following the 15-month project, the Department of Public Safety is expected to relocate there from Stanhope Hall.
An addition to the chilled water plant involving the construction of a 60-foot-high tank that will be used to store chilled water. The project is scheduled to take one year.
Replacement of the track in Jadwin Gymnasium.
Next to the campus, Princeton Borough is resurfacing University Place and portions of Alexander Road, forcing road closings and detours.