News

The Wright Hall East Link Addition and Renovation project, Phase I, was completed last summer and includes additional dorm space, a fitness room, activity room and a new student cafeteria. This project connected two existing dormitories, Wright and Heritage Halls, and also included many site utility extensions and improvements. A new storm water extension system was installed back to a point a block away from campus. A 500' fire waterline was installed to service a new sprinkler system and through change order the existing overhead electrical was relocated to a below ground service where it passes through the footprint of the project site. New chiller and underground chilled water piping was installed and there were extensive renovations, modifications made to the existing mechanical equipment enclosure and relocation of equipment at the adjacent building, Bowman Hall.

Beginning late last year, Branch & Associate's began the process of negotiating the second phase of work at the College. There were actually two additional phases of work left to be done, Phases II & III, with Phase III not being done until the summer of 2012. After lengthy negotiations with the Construction Manager, EDC, and the College, Branch was able to reach an agreement to do both Phases this year. Work on the original Phase II project which was the construction of the Wright Hall West Link Addition began in January of this year.

The Phase III work which entailed the renovation and installation of new mechanical and electrical systems in the exiting Wright Hall dormitory could not start until school adjourned the first week of May. This phase of the project included nearly a complete gut of the interior of the building along with a considerable amount of asbestos abatement. All new electrical, fire alarm, sprinkler and heating and air systems, flooring, paint, etc. had to be replaced by the substantial completion date of August 5th. Much planning was necessary in scheduling how to get all of the work completed in basically a 12 week window of time.