Scaffolding down, more work ahead

The scaffolding surrounding Hamilton College House may be down for the time being, but the renovations -- an estimated $26.5 million project to update both the interior and exterior of the high rise -- are far from complete. A year ago, the University announced its plans to renovate Hamilton as the first phase of a six-year, $80-million undertaking to update all three high rises. While much of the exterior work on Hamilton was completed over the summer and fall of 2002, some of the more noticeable changes will not begin until after exams in May. "The things that will really affect the way people are going to live in this building are really going to happen this summer," former College Houses and Academic Services Director David Brownlee said. Three of Hamilton's four elevators have already been replaced, and workers will replace the fourth elevator in the coming months -- some students say they have already noticed an improvement. "There used to be crowds around the elevator, but it's a lot better," College sophomore and Hamilton resident Maria Di Donato said. Students moving into Hamilton next fall will find a glass-enclosed entryway, a reconfigured main lobby, improved air conditioning units and new student spaces, made possible by the relocation of administrative offices. Two music practice rooms and an upgraded exercise room will also be located in the basement. Additionally, new furniture -- which was showcased in sample rooms for students to vote on last fall -- will be ordered. "The furniture that we are selecting is being shaped very strongly by the preferences of the students who were surveyed," Brownlee said. "They showed a very strong preference for the bright, more dramatic modern-looking furniture, so that's what we're leaning towards in the final selections." Over the course of last summer and into the fall, crews installed a new sprinkler system in student rooms and worked on some of the surrounding landscaping, creating a brick pathway between Hamilton Village and the corner of 40th and Walnut streets. Though residents complained that some of the construction earlier last fall was loud and intrusive, the noise level has died down as the work moves into the next phase. "When the construction was going on last semester, having a scaffold with men outside your window is kind of bewildering, and at times, it would be very distracting," College sophomore Maribel Marmol said. "But I guess that's one of the prices you pay." Work also included repairs and tinted waterproof coatings on the concrete exterior of the building. But applying the light green sealant to the building's front facade -- which would have required two days of above-40-degree weather -- will have to be put off until later this spring due to the unusually cold winter. When the final coating is applied, it will be a "fresh, slightly greenish-white," according to Brownlee. The color will contrast with a light tan sealant, which has already been applied to parts of the building. The exterior will additionally be brightened by windows with new, silver-colored aluminum frames -- set to be installed this summer. "It's an astonishingly busy time," Brownlee said. "Like the Quad renovations, we're doing this without ever closing down a college house during the school year." Administrators remain confident that the project will be completed on schedule. With a $25.6 million budget to work with, administrators are currently examining various proposals from suppliers to maximize their spending power. "It's virtually a million dollars a week for two summers of work," Brownlee said. "I think it's a reflection of the University's recognition that the way the undergraduates live is very important to the academic life of the University." For some, the promised improvements were an important factor in selecting housing for next year. "I'm waiting to see what it's going to look like," said Marmol, who will be retaining a room in Hamilton next year. "I'm hoping it'll be a big difference." The announcement of which high rise will undergo renovations next is expected to be released at next week's meeting of the University Trustees.