Unexpected construction delays have pushed back the scheduled completion date of renovations to the University’s Journalism Building. James Howell, University architect, said the building will be completed March 27.
The building, constructed in 1904 on the original campus in Pineville, LA, was moved to its current location in 1934.
“The Journalism Building is the oldest on campus,” said Jack Hamilton, dean of the Manship School of Mass Communication. “In fact, it is older than the campus itself, making the building one of the finest on campus.”
Emmett David, assistant director for Facility Development, said construction of the building began in November 2002.
The renovation process forced mass communication faculty to temporarily move their offices to Johnston Hall. The faculty has permission to stay in the temporary location until the renovations are complete. However, other faculty are in need of the space in Johnston.
Rene Pierce, computer analyst for the school, said, “the sooner the renovations are done, the better.”
David told the Reveille in March 2003 that the completion date for the building was December 2003.
But unforeseen conditions, such as the discovery of asbestos, occurred in the design of the building. This resulted in additional costs, causing the work order to change, which pushed back the construction schedule.
The building is undergoing construction to restore it to its original appearance, and update it to benefit mass communication students.
“It’s not just a renovation, it’s a restoration,” Pierce said.
The carpeting is being removed in some areas to restore the original wood flooring, Pierce said. Also, the building will incorporate new technologies to provide students with a place to stay current with the fast-paced world.
In the past, rooms had to be rented elsewhere when the school invited guest speakers because the building lacked multimedia capabilities.
The renovated building will provide multimedia facilities, with the new Jensen Holliday Forum as the focal point. The 5,000 sq. ft. forum, equipped with a podium, balcony seating and plasma screens, will be used for guest speakers.
In between classes, students can gather in the forum at tables and chairs to relax or study. Students will have four computer labs at their disposal, in place of the three originally housed in the building. A second 30-seat classroom also will be added.
According to Pierce, a stair tower extending from the second floor of Hodges Hall where the mass communication faculty offices are located, will connect faculty to the south entrance of the Journalism Building.
With many of the Manship faculty members’ offices housed on the second floor of Hodges, the stairwell will provide provide them with a more convenient passageway to their classrooms.
In order for this to happen, a “gate” will be cut in a piece of the existing wall to allow a walkway between the two buildings.