In the last few weeks… The construction crew has been working to rough in mechanical, electrical, and plumbing. They have also been working to complete masonry repairs to the building’s exterior. Additionally, the building’s geothermal system is nearing completion.
The geothermal system is a heat recovery system designed to recover waste energy to preheat (in the winter months) and precool (in the summer months). The system includes 56 bores that are 400 feet deep. The entire system has 8.5 miles of piping and is anticipated to be nearly 50% more efficient than a traditional heating and cooling system. The system is underneath the area in the foreground of the photograph above.
In the coming weeks… The building is beginning to see its first interior surfaces covered with drywall. Within the coming days and weeks, windows will be installed. The site has been receiving a number of deliveries, including truckloads of dirt to begin grading the site. Within a few days, the driveway to what once was Parking Lot #2 will close permanently for the water main to be connected. Moving forward, Parking Lot #1 will be the access point for both the Alumni Center and Walwood Hall.
Stay tuned for photographs of the building’s interior, as well as a list of items salvaged to be reincorporated into the renovated building design.
To learn more about the Alumni Center, visit MyWMU.com/alumnicenter.