Purdue News

June 1, 2000 Trustees OK entomology, chemical engineering, Cary projects WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue University's Board of Trustees today (Thursday, 6/1) agreed to move forward on three major renovation/expansion projects on the West Lafayette campus. The trustees approved a planned renovation and expansion of Entomology Hall, the hiring of an architect to oversee an expansion of the Chemical Engineering Building and a construction contract for the first-phase renovation of Cary Quadrangle, a men's residence hall. Entomology Hall, the second-oldest building on campus, will be renovated while maintaining the building's historical character, said Thomas R. Schmenk, director of facilities planning and construction. A plan developed by Schmidt Associates, an Indianapolis architectural/engineering firm, also will add new space for the School of Agriculture, particularly the Department of Forestry. The project is estimated to cost $14 million, with $12 million coming from the John S. Wright Fund and the remaining $2 million coming from other gift funds. The Wright Fund was established in 1964 and its proceeds are used to support forestry education and forest research. Construction will begin after the gift funds have been pledged. The plan calls for a 25,000-square-foot addition on the south side of the building, with a covered walkway from the addition to the Whistler Hall of Agricultural Research. The front of the building, which faces State Street in West Lafayette, would be preserved. The roof will be strengthened so its shingles can be replaced with clay tiles, similar to the original, Schmenk said. Built in 1901, Entomology Hall was originally the headquarters of the School of Agriculture and was known as Agricultural Hall. The only older building on campus is University Hall, which was built in 1877. The trustees also approved the hiring of Schmidt Associates for a $15 million addition to the Chemical Engineering Building. The expansion will provide an additional 66,000 square feet. Plans for the addition include labs and offices for two major research divisions and a large, interactive lecture facility. Construction will begin after funding from gifts to the School of Chemical Engineering is in place. Jungclaus-Campbell of Indianapolis will be the general contractor for the first phase of the Cary renovation. Work will start in Cary East, creating accessible double-occupancy rooms with air conditioning and semiprivate baths. The first phase also will include renovation of the commercial kitchen area. The first phase costs are budgeted at $9.8 million. Schmenk said the work will start as soon as the state approves the project. This summer's work is part of a six-phase, six-year plan to renovate Cary Quadrangle, a five-building complex built in 1928. When the entire project is completed in 2006, University Residences expects to have spent $43.5 million to meet the needs of contemporary students and accessibility requirements. Cary Quad currently can house up to 1,555 students. Each of the next two years, similar work will be done to renovate the northeast and west wings. The following three years will see the renovation, but not interior demolition, of the southwest, southeast and northwest wings. Purdue's University Residences are self-supporting. The renovation will be funded by bonds, which will be repaid from housing fees charged to residents, not with tax dollars or general student fees. In other business, the trustees approved plans for: • Renovating the ground floor of the Purdue Memorial Union, which will convert underutilized space to an Italian restaurant, at a cost of $1.25 million. • Modernizing lab facilities in Heine Pharmacy Building, which will house National Institutes of Health research. The project cost is estimated at $2 million. • Renovating labs in Wetherill Hall of Chemistry at a cost of $765,000. • Purchasing new electrical equipment for the Wade Utility Plant at a cost of $629,596. Sources: Thomas Schmenk, (765) 494-8003; trschmenk@purdue.edu Writer: J. Michael Willis, (765) 494-0371; mwillis@purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu Related Web sites: Purdue Housing School of Agriculture Chemical Engineering To the Purdue News and Photos Page