Visual Arts Mechanical Upgrades
Project will address the Visual Arts Building’s aging mechanical air and ventilation systems.
Project Update as of March 9, 2024
The first phase of construction was completed over the Summer. It focused on the basement level of the building. Some punch list work will continue into the Fall semester.
Since this Phase required us to move out a number of program spaces currently located in the basement, we will continue to use the old Bookstore space as a temporary photo darkroom and workspaces, as well as some other spaces around campus to accommodate our temporarily displaced students.
We are also looking at the impact Phase 2 will have on our programs and beginning to prepare for that. Phase 2 is currently being developed for bidding, and we are scheduled to begin construction in the Summer of 2024.
Project Overview
The Visual Arts Building houses a number of arts programs for our students including; painting and drawing, graphic design, sculpture, printmaking, photography, art history, and arts management. With the various types of materials and mediums that are used, proper ventilation and exhausting of hazardous fumes is critical to the programs. The building’s mechanical rooms are original and have not had any major upgrades to them since being built. Much of the existing equipment and components are well past their useful life expectancy and are in a state of either disrepair or close to failing. These systems support the programs and are critical to keeping the building operating. This project will begin addressing the most critical areas in this first phase of work.
This first phase will take a comprehensive look and all of the existing mechanical rooms and develop a design and implementation strategy to address the most critical of rooms and/or components first. It will also develop a long-term plan on how to address the other rooms and/or components that are not resolved in the first phase. Additionally, this project will look at helping up upgrade the equipment and components to current codes and energy saving opportunities, as well as helping to reduce overall maintenance costs to the college.
Timeline / Punchlist (Phase 1), Design (Phase 2)
Lead Agency / State University Construction Fund
Design / Lizardos Engineering Associates, P.C.
Contractor / Mengler Mechanical, Inc.
Budget / $9.5 Million (Phase 1)