Construction, Renovation at UPB
A new 103-bed residence hall is not the only construction project on the drawing board at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.
In addition to the new residence hall and 102 new parking spaces, the university is finishing a $2.5-million electrical upgrade, will begin work this fall on the $2.5-million Harriett B. Wick Chapel and will renovate the science laboratories in Fisher Hall at an estimated cost of at least $4.5 million.
“Given the severe downturn in the local economy, these capital projects come at a good time because of the additional jobs they bring to the community,” said Dr. Livingston Alexander, president.
None of the building projects, Alexander said, would be possible without the electrical upgrade, begun in early June.
“The upgrade of the electrical infrastructure on our campus will add much needed electrical capacity and protect our campus from the power outages that have become commonplace on our campus and throughout the region,” he said.
Peter Buchheit, director of facilities management, explained that to increase electrical distribution capacity on campus, crews from Pure Tech Inc. of Bradford replaced all of the wire in the campus’s distribution system and installed new equipment.
In addition, a new dedicated electrical line will be built from the Penelec substation. Buchheit said the project should be completed and brought online by Thanksgiving.
The project that will most affect the academic program is the renovation of the labs in Fisher Hall.
“The renovation of the science labs in Fisher Hall will provide an environment much more conducive to learning as students prepare for careers in the biological and health sciences, chemistry and engineering, or advanced study in graduate school,” Alexander said.
Dr. Steven Hardin, vice president and dean of academic affairs, said, “There has been substantial growth in many of the disciplines that use those labs.”
“We’d really like to bring our labs up to state-of-the-art standards,” he said. In recent years, the university has invested in new equipment, which the new labs will make easier to use.
Dr. Lauren Yaich, chairwoman of the division of biological and health sciences and associate professor of biology, explained that renovations will improve safety, the use of space, educational techniques and aesthetics and make Pitt-Bradford’s labs cutting-edge.
“Increasing enrollments in the science and health-related fields have led to many more lab sections being run,” she said. “We hope to optimize the usage of existing lab space with these renovations so we can accommodate more lab sections to meet student needs and also provide a roomier, safer environment for the faculty and students.”
Work on the 150-seat Wick Chapel has begun, and a cornerstone laying ceremony is planned for Sept. 11. The chapel should be completed by late spring 2010.
The chapel will be built on the west end of campus, facing the Tunungwant Creek.
Naming opportunities for the chapel remain. For more information, contact Karen Niemic Buchheit, executive director of institutional advancement, at kpb@pitt.edu or (814)362-5091.
In addition to the new residence hall and 102 new parking spaces, the university is finishing a $2.5-million electrical upgrade, will begin work this fall on the $2.5-million Harriett B. Wick Chapel and will renovate the science laboratories in Fisher Hall at an estimated cost of at least $4.5 million.
“Given the severe downturn in the local economy, these capital projects come at a good time because of the additional jobs they bring to the community,” said Dr. Livingston Alexander, president.
None of the building projects, Alexander said, would be possible without the electrical upgrade, begun in early June.
“The upgrade of the electrical infrastructure on our campus will add much needed electrical capacity and protect our campus from the power outages that have become commonplace on our campus and throughout the region,” he said.
Peter Buchheit, director of facilities management, explained that to increase electrical distribution capacity on campus, crews from Pure Tech Inc. of Bradford replaced all of the wire in the campus’s distribution system and installed new equipment.
In addition, a new dedicated electrical line will be built from the Penelec substation. Buchheit said the project should be completed and brought online by Thanksgiving.
The project that will most affect the academic program is the renovation of the labs in Fisher Hall.
“The renovation of the science labs in Fisher Hall will provide an environment much more conducive to learning as students prepare for careers in the biological and health sciences, chemistry and engineering, or advanced study in graduate school,” Alexander said.
Dr. Steven Hardin, vice president and dean of academic affairs, said, “There has been substantial growth in many of the disciplines that use those labs.”
“We’d really like to bring our labs up to state-of-the-art standards,” he said. In recent years, the university has invested in new equipment, which the new labs will make easier to use.
Dr. Lauren Yaich, chairwoman of the division of biological and health sciences and associate professor of biology, explained that renovations will improve safety, the use of space, educational techniques and aesthetics and make Pitt-Bradford’s labs cutting-edge.
“Increasing enrollments in the science and health-related fields have led to many more lab sections being run,” she said. “We hope to optimize the usage of existing lab space with these renovations so we can accommodate more lab sections to meet student needs and also provide a roomier, safer environment for the faculty and students.”
Work on the 150-seat Wick Chapel has begun, and a cornerstone laying ceremony is planned for Sept. 11. The chapel should be completed by late spring 2010.The chapel will be built on the west end of campus, facing the Tunungwant Creek.
Naming opportunities for the chapel remain. For more information, contact Karen Niemic Buchheit, executive director of institutional advancement, at kpb@pitt.edu or (814)362-5091.
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