Construction on schedule

Ongoing construction projects are well underway campus-wide as Portland State works to upgrade existing facilities as well as to create new buildings. Lincoln Hall is set to close for two years of renovations, and student housing buildings Blackstone and Montgomery Hall are seeing interior upgrades.

Shattuck Hall, one of the oldest buildings on campus, is set to reopen on schedule this fall, after construction wraps up at the end of this month, according to Nancy Grech, associate director of facilities.

The goals of the nearly $14 million in renovations to Shattuck Hall are not only to bring the building up to seismic safety standards, but also LEED Silver certification standards, as set forth by the U.S. Green Building council.

Upgrades to the building include a seismic retrofit, a new heating and cooling system, a new elevator, new electrical and plumbing systems, life safety upgrades and the creation of architectural studio spaces on the third floor.

A total $100,000 has also been budgeted for artwork to decorate the hall.

Originally built in 1911 and acquired by PSU in 1969, the building housed primarily art and architecture classes until it was shut down for the upgrades in September 2006.

One of the main goals of the construction was to maintain the architectural integrity of the building. Grech said much of the woodwork of the interior of the building was restored, rather than replaced, during the renovations.

“Many existing finishes were restored, such as the maple wood floors, windows and stair rails,” Grech said. “The building was designed to be a teaching tool with many exposed structural and mechanical elements.”

While the building is set to reopen at the end of the summer, renovations will continue well into fall term. Basement renovations will include architecture and fine arts space for a kiln, an architectural model shop and welding area.

Planners hope to complete this leg of construction by October 2008. In addition, the Campus Public Safety Office will have a new business space in the basement slated for completion by November of this year.

A few blocks away from Shattuck Hall, the new Academic and Student Recreation Center is still on course to open in late 2009.

Grech said the concrete structural portions of the building have been completed and the stainless steel swimming pool, crafted in Italy, is scheduled to arrive in Oregon in August. Grech added that wall granite for the Urban Plaza and main entry walls of the new building is currently being cut and finished in Cold Springs, Minn.

The new student rec center will include a host of new and expanded features as compared to the existing Peter W. Stott Center, such as an aquatic complex, a two-court gym and a large lounge area with space for retail shops.

“The last steel beam is scheduled to be set in place in October and construction of the building is on track for the grand opening ceremony in fall 2009,” Grech said.