Construction projects put on hold by funding shortage
By WILL PUCKETT
News Writer
Throughout this year, construction has been steadily progressing in various areas of campus. While work halted on every project that was not already underway, according to Jim Lyphout, vice president for business operations at Notre Dame, several construction projects were completed and two will continue through the summer.
New Science and Learning Building
Lyphout said the new $70 million science and learning building is the University's top construction priority currently. While the building does not as of yet have a name, it will be situated just north of the Joyce Center.
A groundbreaking was scheduled for March 2003, but Lyphout said, "fundraising has not been as successful as we might have hoped, especially with the economy the way it is."
Lyphout estimated that ground might finally be broken sometime within the next six months to a year. Lyphout cautioned against the economy's affect on fundraising and warned that all plans are subject to revision depending on the success of fundraising efforts.
Post Office and Security Building
Ground has already been broken for a new building to house both the post office and security offices near the Stepan Center. The foundation has already been finished, but construction was postponed until funding is more favorable, Lyphout said. Originally slated for completion by the summer of 2003, there is no longer any firm timetable on when construction may begin or be completed.
DeBartolo Center
Construction on the Marie P. DeBartolo Center for the Performing Arts is progressing on schedule, said Lyphout. While nothing has changed on the project, the building is now expected to be completed near the end of the 2004 spring semester, opening for classes the following fall. The project is one of the few on campus that has not been halted or endured other consequences as a result of slow fundraising efforts.
Hesburgh Library
Renovations in the Hesburgh Library are nearing completion, and final work should be completed this summer. The library is adding study space, additional storage for books and microfilms and other modern renovations. While more renovations are planned for the library, nothing is confirmed at the moment, due to funding issues, said Lyphout.
Stepan Chemistry Hall
An expansion to Stepan Chemistry Hall was completed over the 2002-03 school year, with finishing touches to be added early in 2003. The expansion provides more research and laboratory space for chemistry faculty and students.
Some minor work on the exterior and surrounding area continues, but this is primarily landscaping and restoration of the site to its original condition.
O'Shaughnessy Hall
Work was completed late in the fall semester on O'Shaughnessy Hall. There, an office suite was added for the College of Arts and Letters, and the enrollment office was given additional space as well.
Loftus improvements
The Loftus Center is slated to receive some upgrades, including a new weight-training center and football department offices. However, the project was another casualty of tight economic times. Construction was to have begun late in the spring semester, but currently plans are on hold indefinitely.
"That's certainly in our plans, but it depends on how fundraising goes, and we want to look at our higher priorities first," said Lyphout.
All News Stories for Tuesday, April 29, 2003
