Purdue News

August 17, 1988 Construction Workers Seem As Plentiful As Students By KATHE SCHUCKEL Journal and Courier Purdue University is building more than students' intellects. The landscape of the campus will be growing and changing significantly in the next several years. According to the Purdue News Service, the projects include: • Renovations and additions to the old Geosciences Building will transform it into a Student Services Center. The $6.4 million project will house most student service operations, including the office of the dean of students; the division of financial aid; and the office of admissions. It will provide nearly 33,000 square feet for the offices, which are now in cramped quarters in Hovde Hall. The project should be completed by the end of 1989. • Peirce Hall will be torn down and replaced by a $3.5 million state-of-the-art, 500 seat lecture hall. It will include preparation areas for instructors, a large lobby, a lOO-seat classroom and smaller classrooms. The class of 1950 is hoping to raise $1 million toward the project, due to be completed in the mid-199Os. • A bell tower, designed to be the highest structure on campus, after the North Power Plant's brick smokestack is torn down, will be completed within three years. The tower will be in Sinninger Park, west of the power plant. It will be styled after the old Heavilon Hall clock tower. The Heavilon bells will be installed in the tower, but the chimes will be rung electronically. The design will feature a brick exterior and a walkthrough arch. • Construction is under way to transform the quadrangle in front of Hovde Hall of Administration, formerly a parking area and thoroughfare, into a park-like area. Shaded walkways, plazas and outdoor study areas will be a part of the $1.5 million redesign. • Also featured in the quadrangle's transformation will be a new $350,000 fountain to replace Loeb Fountain, which will be moved to a different, but still undetermined, location. It is being designed by Indiana artist Robert Youngman. His bold concept features intricate water movements over an arrangement of four 30-foot-high structures. Experts from the Purdue department of theater are developing a night lighting system, and the water-flow concept will be tested in a wind tunnel in the School of Civil Engineering. • A 120-seat interdenominational chapel and a multi-purpose support building is planned for Horticulture Park. The Purdue class of 1939 plans to raise $850,000 to build it. • An enclosed football practice facility, featuring a field and weight-training facilities, will be paid for through gifts and athletic revenues. It's scheduled to be completed in 199O. • An Animal Pavillon, scheduled to be completed in June 1989, will help agriculture students study large animals in a classroom setting. The 1,900-squarefoot, $250,000 open pavilion will be built on a site south of the Poultry Annex. • Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, a $9 million 30,000-square-foot structure, will replace obsolete facilities. It helps livestock farmers in the state by identifying diseases, conducting laboratory tests and administering vaccinations. • A Freehafer Hall $4 million addition will add 21,000 square feet to the structure. Expansion of business and physical plant offices will be the aim of the project. Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page