Unlike many projects at the University, the renovations of Annie Boyd Hall are being completed as scheduled without many major glitches.
“Of course, there are always glitches here and there,” said Karen Rockett, associate director of facilities for Residential Life.
Construction crews were slowed by setbacks like the delayed delivery of building materials, but it didn’t affect the overall project, Rockett said.
The entire interior of the building has been gutted, including the walls and staircases. All that is left of Annie Boyd are the bricks and stucco on the outside; even the windows have been removed.
Annie Boyd’s roof remains intact, but it will receive a partial overhaul as well.
“They are already laying out the stud walls,” Rockett said. “The metal studs should mostly be up on the second and third floor.”
Once the walls are rebuilt, Annie Boyd will be filled with new sheetrock, new bathrooms and plenty of study space, Rockett said.
The new bathrooms will be suite-baths, as they were before Annie Boyd was gutted.
“Annie Boyd is going to remain a suite bath because that’s a big deal for our students,” Rockett said.
There is no classroom in Annie Boyd Hall, but there are larger study spaces, she said.
Next week, construction crews will begin “trenching” throughout the horseshoe driveway located in front of Annie Boyd.
In order to run the utilities to the residence hall, a large trench must be created in the ground, Rockett said.
Cars are unable to park in the horseshoe because it is impossible to drive over the trench that will be created soon, she said.
The expected date of completion is July 1, 2013, and the hall will be open to students in August 2013.
Rockett has a special incentive to finish the project on time.
“I got dinner bet on it with my boss that we’re going to open on time,” she said.
