Purdue News

December 15, 2001 Purdue awards contract for $14 million renovation to historic building WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Purdue University Board of Trustees today (Saturday, 12/15) awarded a $14 million construction contract for the renovation of the second oldest building on campus, Pfendler Hall. Board members also authorized hiring an architect to design a new $18 million freestanding food dining court as part of the second phase of a $48 million residence hall food service consolidation project. Two other construction contracts also were awarded, and a lease for a new building in the Purdue Research Park was approved. The 100-year-old David C. Pfendler Hall was formerly known as Agricultural Hall and Entomology Hall. In July the board renamed the building to honor the 38-year educator who worked in the School of Agriculture before retiring as associate dean in 1974. Pfendler died in 1998. Wayne Kjonaas, vice president of physical facilities, said Pfendler Hall's age and condition presented several structural and design problems. Schmidt Associates, an Indianapolis architectural/engineering firm, conducted a feasibility assessment and developed a renovation plan to restore the building to full operation. "The university will be able to preserve the character and history of a Purdue landmark and still provide modernized, needed space for the School of Agriculture and, specifically, the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources," Kjonaas said. Hagerman Construction Corp. of Fort Wayne, Ind., will restore and renovate both exterior and interior features in the structure's original Beaux-arts Neoclassicism building style. New windows will be installed, and the roof structure will be strengthened to support clay tiles, similar to the original, in place of shingles. The project, scheduled for completion by fall 2003, also will bring accessibility and safety features up to current standards. The project includes a 25,000-square-foot addition on the south side of the building with a covered walkway to the Whistler Hall of Agricultural Research. The front of the building will not be altered. The project is being funded by $12 million from the John S. Wright Endowment Fund and other gifts. The Wright Fund was established in 1964 to support forestry education and forest research. Built in 1901, the hall was originally the headquarters of the School of Agriculture. The only older building remaining on campus is University Hall, built in 1877. Purdue stopped scheduling classes in Pfendler after the 1999 fall semester because of safety and maintenance concerns. Pfendler Hall has been recognized by the Wabash Valley Trust for Historic Preservation for outstanding historic preservation and restoration. In other business, the trustees approved hiring Scholer Corp., a Lafayette architectural firm, to design an $18 million 800-seat student dining court as part of a larger $48 million master plan that will consolidate 11 existing residence hall food service facilities into five dining courts. "Of the five dining courts, this building will be the only new, freestanding facility," Kjonaas said. The objective of the project is to create a "marketplace" where the dining room and the preparation areas are brought together to create "a lively, open atmosphere and eliminate the institutional cafeteria image of residence hall dining," he said. The new configuration will be designed to offer variety and flexibility in menus and to increase space and efficiency. The new food court will be located in the lawn area between Cary Quadrangle, Owen Hall, Stadium Avenue and Tower Drive. The project's anticipated start date is December 2002, with construction to be completed in May 2004 and open for students in August. The trustees also awarded a construction contract for the $7 million-plus Earhart Residence Hall food service consolidation project. The project will renovate and enlarge Earhart's dining area to accommodate 720 students. This project is the first phase of the $48 million residence hall food service consolidation project. The trustees also awarded a construction contract for work on the $5 million recreational sports center renovation project. This 19,000 square-foot phase of the 30,000 square-foot total project will convert and reconfigure the center's basement to include a new air-conditioned cardiovascular fitness and strength-training area. The board also approved the new Vistech I building lease. Vistech I is the Purdue Research Park's first privately-owned, high-tech, multi-tenant facility. The 73,000 square-foot, $6 million office building will provide additional space for growing high-tech ventures. Writer: Grant Flora, (765) 494-2073; gflora@purdue.edu Sources: Kenneth Burns, executive vice president and treasurer, (765) 494-9705; kpburns@purdue.edu Wayne Kjonaas, vice president for physical facilities, (765) 494-8000, wkjonaas@purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page