Summer Construction Complete
Projects included renovated dorms, more lab space
| From Commonwealth | By Leslie Friday
The University was abuzz with 38 renovation projects. Much of the work has made the campus greener.
One BU official calls it Extreme Makeover: Apartment Edition.
Sleeper Hall, which underwent a complete renovation this summer, was one of 38 projects targeted for Boston University’s aggressive summer construction season.
In Sleeper’s case, each of the 316 rooms got a fresh coat of paint and new lighting, carpet, furniture, and closet wardrobes. Bathrooms were remodeled, and the second floor student lounge had a total facelift.
All that had to be completed in less than three months, before students returned for fall semester. “There is a lot of pressure,” said Jeff Hoseth, Facilities Management and Planning associate director of construction services, “and the contractors feel it.”
The residential brownstone at 203 Bay State Road also got a lot of attention this summer, in the form of a complete historical renovation. Nine faculty apartments will open this fall at 85–87 St. Mary’s St. after a yearlong remodeling effort.
And construction continued on the Medical Campus’ New Student Residence, at 815 Albany St., which will provide 104 two-bedroom apartments for School of Medicine students when it opens, in June 2012.
At the same time, crews continue work on the Center for Student Services, at 100 Bay State Road, future home for academic advising programs, Student Services, the Center for Career Development, and a dining hall. The building is scheduled to open in September 2012.
Jeff Hoseth, in a gutted Sleeper Hall dorm room this past summer.
Photo by Cydney Scott
Chemistry students and faculty will benefit from laboratory renovations at the Metcalf Center for Science and Engineering and at 712 Beacon St. Several auditoriums—including in the Metcalf Center, the College of Communication, and the Stone Science Building—received technology upgrades and revamped interiors. Projection and media equipment, lighting controls, and stereo audio systems were updated in 32 additional Charles River Campus classrooms this summer.
Much of the work has made the campus greener, as well as nicer to look at.
Energy-efficient lighting systems were installed in Walter Brown Arena, Sargent College, and 44 Cummington St., and more than 500 windows were replaced with more energy-efficient ones at the College of Arts & Sciences, Metropolitan College, and the Schools of Theology and Education. Boilers in five buildings were converted from oil to natural gas systems, reducing BU’s carbon footprint by another 0.7 percent.
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