MU: Building by the numbers

Campus growing at historic rate

o anyone who has walked around campus, especially the Quad, it is obvious that MU is experiencing unparalled construction, repair, and renovation. And not just MU students, faculty and staff are noticing. U.S. Congressmen, and media from around the state, have come to Columbia to see the changes in progress.

The university is working on projects totaling over $140 million, a figure that includes such projects as the $46 million Critical Care Addition, the most expensive project ever undertaken by MU; the Anheuser-Busch Natural Resources Building; the exterior repair of Jesse Hall; the Black Culture Resource Center; and the Hitt Street Parking Garage.

Taking Care

For several months a tower crane has loomed over the University Hospital. While many have seen it, few know that the tower crane is a key component to building the Critical Care Addition.

Construction began on the addition in November 1996. Scheduled to be completed June 1999, the 206,000-square-foot structure represents the single largest construction contract ever awarded by MU. When completed, this addition will house the neonatal intensive care, adult intensive care, ambulatory care and central sterile units.

A suitable home for those Budweiser frogs

Scheduled for completion in May, the Anheuser-Busch Natural Resources Budding will bring together, for the first time under one roof, the various departments of the School of Natural Resources. The 105,000- gross-square-foot building will include a 499-seat auditorium, classrooms and lab facilities.

Construction on campus has gotten the attention of alumni, media and even politicians. In December 1997, U.S. Senator Christopher S. Bond adn U.S. Representative Kenny Hulshof visited the campus to see the progress of the Anheuser-Busch Natural Resources Building. Pictured above are (L to R) Hulshof and Bond, and Phil Shocklee, Tom Wieck and Elisabeth Myers of Campus Facilities.

This $18.1 million project has generated statewide interest, including the Dec. 15, 1997 visit by U.S. Senator Christopher S. Bond and U.S. Representative Kenny Hulshof. Bond and Hulshof were led on a tour of the building by construction project manager Tom Wieck, and Elisabeth Myers of Design Services.

Jesse Hall update

Along with erecting new buildings, MU is also performing substantial repair work, such as the high-profile exterior repairs of Jesse Hall. With 17 layers of paint stripped from the dome and other surfaces, tuck-pointing, brick and stone cleaning, and repainting, the building is almost back to its original state.

The project was nearly complete in late November when construction was halted for the winter. Remaining work includes: painting the northeast and northwest porches, and pouring sidewalk to replace that torn out during construction.

For anyone concerned with Jesse Hall's being swathed in scaffolding during commencement, put your mind at ease. Work will not resume until after graduation.

Jesse Hall, shrouded by the all-too-familiar scaffolding that was up for most of 1997. With the majority of the work done, Jesse Hall repairs should be complete by August 1998.

MU adds Culture to its campus

Only a stone's throw from its old site, the new Black Culture Resource Center will be a state-of-the-art, multi-use facility that can accommodate 225 visitors. A highlight the building will be a resource center housing a computer lab, gallery and student lounge.

Due for completion in June 1998, this $2.4 million facility will also include office and administrative areas.

So many cars, so little parking

At one time or another, everyone has grumbled about the parking - or lack thereof - on campus. When completed in summer 1998, the Hitt Street Parking Garage, with over 1,800 spaces, will be Columbia's largest parking structure. Approximately 75 percent of the spaces will be available for students.

A $12 million project, Hitt is MU's sixth parking structure and will serve as the permanent home of Campus Mail Services.

On the drawing board

Although 1998 will not see construction projects on the scale of 1997, it will be a busy year. Among projects in the works are the Eckles Hall Addition, White Campus Greenhouse and Townsend Hall renovation.