2008 Woodie Awards
New $106 million residence hall project begins
By Frank Stern
Issue date: 1/21/08 Section: News
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Many students moving back to their residence halls at the beginning of the semester were shocked to find heavy construction equipment, trailers in the residential quad and Hollinger field unavailable for use.
The West Chester University Housing Renewal Initiative was started to the dismay of students who are no longer allowed to play sports on the field or cut across the construction site.
"Hollinger field has been sacrificed for the better good of the construction project as of 1.3.2008," Robert Watmuff, Assistant Project Manager, said via email. "Hollinger field is currently the location of the jobsite facilities, i.e. offices/portable restrooms."
The project includes plans to build two privately owned residence halls. Dormitory 'A' will be erected in the current location of Hollinger field. Dormitory 'B' is scheduled to be built parallel to Wayne Hall in an L shape toward Sanderson Hall.
Currently, no buildings are being erected on the location because of "necessary exterior utility relocations" designed to move water, phone, steam and electric lines under the intended building footprint.
This segment of the project is the most difficult part of the project, according to Richard Przywara, executive director of the West Chester University Foundation. This phase also includes delivery of 4000 cubic yards of concrete, reinforced steel and moving two cranes to the building site. Przywara and construction officials know this will be noisy.
Noise levels have already been an issue with certain students, who wished to remain anonymous living in nearby residence halls including Killinger Hall, the 24-hour quiet residence hall. So far things have been far from quiet, however, the company building the residence halls is sticking to working from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., attempting do to the majority of construction while students are at class.
"Noise is an inherent problem with any large construction site," Watmuff said. "We are trying to tiptoe lightly during the early morning and evening hours but sometimes you have to move ahead so not to affect the stringent construction schedule."
Included in the construction will be certain "no noise days," which will include no usage of heavy machinery around finals and midterms. Weekends will are also not scheduled for work, provided the project stays on schedule.
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Dorothy von Gerbig
posted 1/22/08 @ 8:04 AM EST
I am interested in a more complete explanation of exactly what the phrase "privately owned" means. Are the current dormitories "privately owned?" Or is this financial arrangement new? Has it been used on other college campuses? How does it impact the student? Is the construction money from the state or private sources?
David Gyza 05'
posted 1/22/08 @ 8:08 AM EST
Call me old fashioned, but WCU was beautiful before it started putting up all these monstrous buildings. I understand that the school is looking to upgrade and update and things like that, but it was it's small town charm that attracted many of my fellow alums to the school in the first place. (Continued…)
J Barrera '82
posted 1/22/08 @ 9:58 AM EST
Well, everything has a place in time and space! I will certainly miss the old Tyson, Schmidt and Ramsey buildings! I am glad Goshen will be spared the wrecking ball. (Continued…)
K Snyder
posted 2/11/08 @ 4:13 PM EST
I agree with the above two comments. I thought the residential quad was cramped with the addition of University Hall. And now two more halls will be constructed in an already too-tight space. (Continued…)
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