September 9, 2010 Meeting Minutes

Construction Junction
Construction Planning and Progress Meeting
118 Eppley Center
September 9, 2010

Overview: Construction Junctions are the Physical Plant’s monthly public meeting designed to update/inform the public of various projects currently in design, nearing construction and under construction. Agenda items included:

• Will Whelton
  • Board of Trustees
• Dan Troia (Ingham County Road Commission)
  • Mt. Hope Road Reconstruction from Farm Lane to Okemos Road 
• Tony Rhodes
  • Wells Hall Addition
• Andy Linebaugh
  • Utility Repairs Near Physical Plant
• Leisa Williams-Swedberg
  • Brody Hall Renovation
• Ken Dawson
  • Emmons Hall Renovation
• Erin Bowdell
  • Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum
• Chris Thronson
  • Facility for Rare Isotope Beams Utility Relocation Phase I
  • Plant Science Expansion

Project updates:

• This project started later than expected
• As of Tuesday, Mt. Hope Road was closed on both sides of Hagadorn Road
• Current work on the portion near Farm Lane includes installing drain pipes
• Phase I
  • The portion of Mt. Hope between Farm Lane and Hagadorn will possibly be open by Sept.18
  • It will not close again until the end of October
• Phase II 
  • Located between Hagadorn and Comanche Road
  • Work that is underway currently could take four to six weeks
  • Work in this area should be done by mid-October
• Phase III
  • Done by the end of October
  • Includes paving from Farm Lane to Okemos Road
• Detour
  • Phase II will close the roads to through traffic
    • Area residents will be able to travel through the area
  • The detour utilizes Jolly and Okemos roads to divert traffic around area

• This project is targeted to be completed in 2012 
• Addition will run at an angle over the B-wing of Wells
• 24 staff parking spots will become barrier-free parking and heated sidewalk areas
  • It is expected that staff will park over at the Stadium south lot
• The best way to access the A or C wing is through the People’s Park on the east side of the building
  • The B-wing will not be accessible until fall 2011
• A proposed temporary sidewalk may be put in place in a week on the west side of Red Cedar Road
• Life safety such as fire suppression systems will be installed in the B-wing
• Groundbreaking for the addition will occur on Sept.16 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on the east side of the building
• Installation of a chilled water loop between the A-wing and the International Center will be completed soon

• Currently, crews are in the process of pouring out the new drive near the Landscape Services building
  • Work includes grading the limestone today and  prepping for asphalt
  • Form work for the curb is also being done
• Hoping to have the road open to traffic by Sept.17
• Detours are currently in place
  • First layer of asphalt will be put down this Friday
  • The Physical Plant parking lot will be closed this weekend for paving purposes
  • All mechanical work is done
• A brief detour will be in place on Sept.16 or 17
  • Stadium Road will be closed for a few hour at Wilson and Chestnut roads
    • The closures will alternate to maintain access to the Physical Plant parking lot

• Grass in front of building was hydro-seeded and starting to come up
  • Patio furniture should be permanently installed at the end of September
• Drywall of grotto is being installed
• First floor of Brody Hall will include:
  • 12 offices
  • Conference room
  • Work room
  • Reception area
  • Ample work area
• Men’s and women’s restroom will be located in the new service corridor of the lower level
• Sparty’s convenience store is underway
• 10,300 meals served on the first day second-floor dining was available
  • 2,000 pounds of protein served 
  • 2,500 servings of sushi was served in 2 ½ hours
• So far, there have been 200,035 man hours on this project

Q: Do you have to have a meal plan to eat in Brody Hall?
A: No, you can pay with cash, credit card or use a meal plan.

Emmons Hall Renovation

• The focus of the project is on the exterior right now
  • The race is on to enclose the building before winter
• Site fence is moved in toward the building to allow access to the sidewalk on the west side of Harrison Road
• During student move-in, the road in front of Emmons was open for the convenience of student and parents
  • Entrance road in front of Emmons will be closed through 2011
• Emmons building lettering is proposed to be on the building itself instead of over the front doors
• Steel reinforcements have been installed around concrete columns on the corners of the building
• There is an architectural feature that overhangs the front area of the building
  • The steel beams cover most of the roof 
  • Necessary to support the overhang
• The number of students rooms will increase with the renovation
  • Three rooms will be added per floor
• The concrete penthouse on the roof was demolished
  • A crane was used to move materials
  • New penthouse is being constructed using steel
• Many materials are being recycled from the site
  • Removed brick will be reused in other areas of Brody renovations 
• New windows will be installed in every room

• Scheduled to be completed in spring 2012
• Foundation has been completed and basement walls installed 
  • Basement walls have some areas cut out for mechanical purposes
• Steel  is used with concrete material to reinforce the structural integrity of the foundation
• It took three months of practice to get the architectural concrete finish right
  • The special concrete resembles a drywall finish
• Concrete has to be tested for the right consistency
  • Also has to be tested for the right strength; not a lot of steel will be used in this building
• The concrete is pumped into forms to create the walls
  • The current walls have to be protected from damage for the rest of the project
  • Fifteen form pours will take place during this project
• Many of the architectural walls in the building design are sloping
• Another project will be starting soon in front of the Student Services building
  • Creating barrier-free entrance on north side of the building
  • Fencing is going up next week
  • Some parking in Lot 8 (west side of the building) will be relocated
  • Faculty and staff should still be able to park in Lot 8
  • Student Services is accessible in all other entrances

Q: Is the link to the webcam accessible from the Broad Art Museum website?
A: Yes, and you can also access it from the construction website.

Facility for Rare Isotope Beams Utility Relocation Phase I

• Purpose of project to relocate utilities for the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB)
• Project should be done by the end of October
  • Last phase will be chilled water line installation
  • Underground sewer work is almost complete
  • Some utility work will also occur on the west side of Bogue Street near the Cyclotron

• Currently installing the foundation on the north side of the building
• Basement walls are being constructed 
• Steel will be installed after concrete work is completed