The University is ahead of schedule from its initial estimates of building renovations under the 2000 UNC Bond Program and should finish all construction within the next year, according to University Architect Michael Harwood.
Harwood said multiple factors contributed to construction moving at an expeditious pace.
“It’s really not one single thing that has allowed us to maintain these deadlines,” Harwood said. “We have some really good people working here that, in spite of all the obstacles, helped to keep everything on track.”
He said construction officials have made proficient use of “swing space,” which is a term describing empty building space that classes can move to while renovations are completed in the building that originally housed them.
“Our use of swing space has really helped us keep on schedule,” Harwood said. “We accomplish a lot by doing things simultaneously and looking for pockets of space to put people in.”
Harwood said construction has damaged some classroom resources, especially in buildings like Garner Hall where laboratories were renovated next to facilities that were still in use.
“We have had some of these kinds of unfortunate situations,” Harwood said. “The campus has put up with a lot.”
Janine Largen, a junior in business management, said she has not experienced many negative effects from the construction on campus and believes renovations are an important part of campus growth.
“Every University campus I’ve ever been on in my life has had some kind of construction going on, and there really aren’t many negative effects about it,” Largen said. “I can only think of one time I was bothered by construction noise in my classroom, but it was just temporary and no big deal.”
Harwood said Associate Vice Chancellor for Facilities Kevin MacNaughton has set a deadline for next year to have all bond project construction completed, and the department is working hard to meet that goal.
“Kevin has made it pretty clear that we need to be done by November 2008, so we are going to be under a tremendous amount of pressure to make sure he lives up to his word,” Harwood said. “If it slides into December, we will still feel pretty good about that, but if it slides into January, we are going to be in a little bit of trouble.”
Harwood said when the University next receives bond funding for construction is dependent upon the actions of North Carolina government representatives.
“It’s more about politics than anything else,” Harwood said. “This could easily be something that gets talked about leading up to the next election.”
Jared Teachey, a freshman in biological sciences, said he appreciates the recent building renovations he has seen on campus.
“It helps improve the overall image of the campus — some of the new building styles look a lot more industrial, and it gives the campus a little more flare,” Teachey said. “Sometimes you have to go around construction that is blocking the road, but I haven’t had any real problems.”
Harwood said construction and Facilities officials have learned a great deal in the management of this bond program and look forward to increasing efficiency even further in the future.
“It gets us better prepared for some day having a second bond program,” Harwood said. “We have learned some lessons and tricks to move things along as quickly as possible.”