January will not only bring in the New Year, but more construction to the Augusta State campus. Structural work will begin on several of the historic buildings on campus. These buildings–original buildings of the Augusta Arsenal—date back to 1827-29.
According to Mr. Fred Ricketson, screening has already been removed from the back porch of the Benet House, and the rest of the work on that building will be completed by the end of January. (The Benet House is on the National Register of Historic Places.) The front porch and roof of Rains Hall will be repaired, and that work is expected to last about four months. The windows in Fanning Hall will also undergo restoration. Mr. Ricketson says that the work will not interfere with normal business operations of the offices in these buildings.
Other projects include a new roof being placed on the Carpentry Shop as well as on the west wing of Science Hall. These repairs will take four months to complete.
Mr. Ricketson says an additional 125-space parking lot could possibly be in the works for the 2009 spring semester. The project is currently under bid, and the cost is being reviewed to meet the university’s budget standards. “If approved, the new lot will be located between the Jaguar Student Activities Center and the Physical Plant,” he says. “Augusta State should have more information on the approval by mid-December.”
Another major project awaiting approval is the construction of another phase of the History Walk. “We received $600,000 from the Department of Transportation for the project,” says Dr. Kathy Hamrick, special coordinator of academic and master planning. “I expect a notice to proceed from the Department of Transportation any day now, and we will begin the design.”
Also, the road located between Galloway Hall and the ROTC Garage will be open at the start of the spring semester. According to Mr. Ricketson, there are no more road closures planned for the near future.
Nov 18, 2008
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