Pitt-Bradford Begins Construction on Several Projects

The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford has started construction on several new projects, including a $5.42-million, 103-bed residence hall and 104-space parking lot.

Even as it begins that housing project, construction is continuing on the Harriett B. Wick Chapel and the electrical service upgrade for the campus.

“This is part and parcel of the continued transformation of our campus as we seek to accommodate our fast-growing student population,” said Dr. Livingston Alexander, president. “All of the new facilities will reflect a consistent design and accentuate the beauty of the campus.”

Preparation of the site for the new residence hall began this week after the project was approved by the University of Pittsburgh board of trustees on Oct. 30 and a key roadblock to construction was removed on Nov. 2, when the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection gave the Bradford Sanitary Authority permission to add 45 equivalent dwelling units to its sewage treatment system. Of those, 33 are needed for the new residence hall.

Rycon Construction Inc. is the general contractor for the building, which has an anticipated completion date of Aug. 15, 2010.

The new residence hall, which will mirror Reed-Coit House, will be built across from Fisher Hall in an existing parking lot.

The new residence hall is being built to house more of the university’s burgeoning student population on campus. The university has experienced five consecutive years of record growth. This will be the third residence hall built during that period.

To compensate for the parking spaces that have been lost to construction of the new residence hall, the campus is building a new parking lot at the end of Taylor Drive, which abuts campus.

TEDCO Construction Corp. of Carnegie was awarded the construction contract for $678,000. A new access road will connect the new parking lot with the west campus entrance road. Construction began last week on the road, and the lot should be available soon.

Although the parking lot will initially have a crushed limestone surface, it will be paved next summer.

The third active construction project on campus is that of the Harriett B. Wick Chapel. General contractor Carl E. Swanson & Sons Construction has completed 15 percent of the project, which should be ready by Sept. 1, 2010.

The $2.5 million 150-seat chapel is being built on the west end of campus, facing the Tunungwant Creek.

Meanwhile, a $2.5 million to $3 million upgrade of the university’s high-voltage electrical service is 80 percent complete and is expected to be completed by January.

“When completed, this project is expected to significantly improve the reliability of the electrical supply and provide additional capacity for campus growth,” said Richard Esch, vice president for business affairs.

The switchover to the upgraded campus infrastructure is scheduled for Nov. 25.

Finally, the university has begun planning for the renovation of science labs and classrooms in Fisher Hall. The renovations will be performed in phases, beginning next spring. An initial meeting with design professional IKM Inc. of Pittsburgh was held last week.

Pictured, the site preparation that has begun for a new 104-bed residence hall at Pitt-Bradford
(Photos courtesy of Pitt-Bradford)