Insight into the Kilachand Hall Renovation Project with Paul Riel
We are happy to introduce you to Paul Riel (Ed.D) Associate Vice President for Auxiliary Services at Boston University, and Project Executive for the Kilachand Hall Ninth Floor Renovation Project.
Dr. Riel answered some of Professor Preston’s questions about this exciting project and addressed concerns students have voiced about the beginning phases of the work.
Q&A with Paul Riel
Could you please tell us what excites you most about this project to renovate Kilachand Hall?
Anytime we can improve a residential space for student use, is exciting. This project is particularly interesting because we are restoring a building that has history and character as well as enhancing the space on the 9th floor to provide students with gathering spaces, classrooms, and a generous view of Boston!
You have negotiated some recent changes to the work schedule to accommodate student concerns about disruptions. Could you tell us about the adjustments?
Sure, by contract, the workers hours are 7am – 3pm Monday – Saturday. We began to hear from students that the contractor was starting their work too early in the morning, and that was causing a conflict. I am pleased to say that the contractor agreed to start work at 9am and stop work at 4:45pm until Commencement.
How did you go about making these changes to the work schedule, and why was it more challenging than it might seem to shift those hours back?
We worked with the contractor and the Union to negotiate a remedy that is good for the students and keeps the project on schedule. Most of these workers do not live close to Boston and must drive far to get here. They arrive early to beat traffic and find parking close to the project. With the construction at Kenmore Square and the Data Science Building, parking is at a premium. They will still arrive early, as the Union contract stipulates, but will remain off the job site until work begins at 9am.
That is fascinating. I expect few members of our community will have experienced the challenges of negotiating with a Union in a way that is respectful of workers’ needs and preferences, while also supporting the very different needs and preferences of our students. What do you hope our community keeps in mind as we navigate the year of construction ahead?
This is a complicated project. On most jobs, this would probably be three or four separate projects. Recall we are installing an elevator bank up nine-stories, completely renovating the 9th floor, fixing the toilet exhausts in all sleeping rooms, and repairing/restoring 80-90 percent of the building’s exterior. Oh, and by the way, the building will still be occupied. We have a good plan and a great team that is focused on success. I would ask that students be mindful of the effort that is being put into this project and be patient with the contractors. They want to deliver a project back to the students that you can enjoy and use for years to come.