WVUP Rebuilding Tower

West Virginia University at Parkersburg will have a new modern look upon completion of a $2.7 million construction project scheduled to begin in late fall.

The project involves a campus enhancement initiative regarding the institution’s north classroom tower of its main building. Gone will be the brick facade currently on the tower’s exterior front structure. In its place will be a stained glass curtain wall and a new campus focal point.

Built in 1968, the three-story classroom tower houses stairways, classrooms and lab space. The structure has experienced some settling of its foundation over the years. The project will include stabilizing the soil moisture around the tower’s foundation as well as renovation of the tower. The project is expected to create a new focal point for the campus. It is part of a continuing initiative to enhance the campus and its grounds.

“This is an element of the on-going, focused effort to enhance learning and student spaces while also impacting the aesthetic look of the campus,” noted WVU Parkersburg President Marie Foster Gnage. “We look forward to getting the project under way.”
Construction is expected to start in late November/early December with completion by fall of 2006.

“The project will give us the opportunity to significantly improve the exterior look of the building as well as make some additions to the facility,” said Wayne Riley, chief procurement officer and capital projects coordinator.

The renovated first floor of the tower will allow for new administrative spaces. New stairways will be designed and constructed. Four faculty offices will be added and the Humanities Division’s music room will be relocated on the second floor. A science computer lab and a chemistry lecture room will exchange locations on the third floor, Riley added.

As part of the construction plans, the canopy that covers three-quarters of the front of the main administration building will be removed. Also, landscaping and a new entry canopy are planned.

In preparation for the project, the Mid-Ohio Valley Transit Authority’s Easy Rider bus service will be rerouted to the College Activities Center entrance, effective Oct. 3, to accommodate the construction area. Currently, Easy Rider provides service to the main college building entrance. The interior campus road directly in front of the main building will be closed to vehicular traffic during the construction project. A fence will be erected around the perimeter of the construction site.

No classroom space is expected to be impacted by the construction for the fall semester, college officials noted. There may be some rearrangement of educational space for the spring semester.

The project’s pre-bid session is scheduled on the Parkersburg campus Sept. 14. Bids will be opened Sept. 29 in Morgantown.

West Virginia University representatives are serving as the project management team with Parkersburg campus personnel. Funding for the project is being derived from the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission’s $161.47 million bond issue for higher education.