The University will take another step in campus revitalization this summer by launching a series of construction projects over an intensive 12-week period following Monday's Commencement.
From the initial phases of the Pottruck Fitness Center to remodeling the Quadrangle, University officials have scheduled and secured funding for several projects across Penn's campus.
Plans to renovate the high rises in Hamilton Village, however, remain on hold because of funding shortfalls.
Renovation of the Quadrangle, which is estimated at a total cost of $1.5 million per week for 12 weeks, will enter its third of four phases this summer with the completion of House C -- which includes sections of Community, Spruce and Ware college houses. Air conditioning will be installed in the students' rooms in these areas, multi-person suites will be created and bathrooms and hallways will be refurbished.
"A large amount of this project is to create a set of spaces in which students can more easily navigate," Director of the Office of College Houses and Academic Services David Brownlee said. "It's a gigantic logistical endeavor."
Part of the purpose of this project is to provide students in the Quad with more comprehensive and individualized public facilities. Additions to House C, which have already been installed in other parts of the Quad, will include a new computer lab and a new facilities services area. The facilities service area will function as a mailroom and remain open 24 hours a day.
Brownlee said that the current system, which only provides one mailroom for the entire Quad, is inadequate.
"The idea here is to create a service center that is comprehensive and accessible to students," Brownlee noted. "It's a major improvement for each house to have its own mailroom."
In addition to the interior renovations, other changes will be made to the Quad. McClelland Hall will be converted into House C's lobby, and the new recycling system, which includes three centers, will be completed.
"The Quad is a tremendously intimidating project," Vice President of Facilities Services Omar Blaik said. "The pace of the Quad is very slow and challenging."
The consolidation of the four houses into three will be complete by fall 2002.
Despite the large scale changes being made to the Quad, no plans have been made to renovate the three high rises.
"We are still struggling to find the finances needed to tackle the high rises and we are hopeful for next summer," Blaik said.
Components of the University's $3'0 million dorm and dining renovation project have seen delays because of financial troubles, stemming partly from the record losses -- close to $300 million -- posted by Penn's Health System in 199' and 1999.
The decade-long project initially included plans to renovate every college house on campus, as well as the creation of 1,000 new beds.
Gimbel Gymnasium will shut its doors for the summer in order to allow construction to begin on the Pottruck Fitness Center, scheduled to open in the fall of 2003. Students and faculty will have to use the facilities at Hutchinson Gymnasium during the summer months.
Blaik said Gimbel will reopen in the fall, but it is essential to temporarily shut the facility down.
"The electric supply is in the location where the new building will be, so it has to be moved," he said.
Other areas of campus also will be immersed in construction projects for the summer.
The foundation will be poured and construction will begin on the new $20 million Life Sciences building at 3'th Street and University Avenue and renovations to the Graduate School of Education building should be completed by the end of August.
Students, faculty and staff have expressed concern that the construction projects might create problems for those who remain on campus throughout the summer.
But Blaik said the effect will be relatively minor.
"The staff is used to construction during the summer," Blaik said. "Since we are not renovating the high rises, there will be less impact on students remaining on campus. It is always a very high season for us."
