ARC Building Update: July 28, 2008

With steel roof framing in place, the new Academic and Research Center (ARC) is taking on a new and exciting profile. To see progress as it happens, a Web-based camera has been installed in the
adjacent Life Sciences Building. Construction progress now can be viewed at http://132.235.227.115/

According to Dick Planisek, assistant university planner, in a July 25 progress report, structural steel framing is nearly complete on the front (east) half, and about to go up on the back (west) half. The remainder of the frames will follow in August.

Ground floor spaces housing mechanical and electrical rooms are slated to be flood-proofed. Elevator shafts are in now place, as are ground floor concrete walls. Meanwhile, construction of an elevated walkway has begun. The walkway will connect the new building entry to the West Green Plaza. Enclosed connectors also will be built to Stocker Center and Irvine Hall.

“Initial plumbing and electrical elements are being placed—both underground and on the ground floor—as the structural system allows,” Planisek says. “There will now be a constant interplay of structural and mechanical/electrical systems. As this happens, more and more workers will be on-site.”

The project is registered with the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) to gain LEED certification, the recognized standard for measuring building sustainability. LEED certification promotes design and construction practices that increase the profitability of buildings while reducing their negative environmental impacts.

Ohio University initiated the effort to receive the certification, which is being handled by the project architects, Burgess & Niple. OU officials and the architects are working together to assemble the necessary information for certification, which is under review by USGBC, Planisek says.

Slightly behind schedule because of wet weather, Planisek anticipates that the project will be back on its original schedule by late fall with the help of construction crews who are making up for lost time.

“The contractors are expanding their work hours,” Planisek states. “Both contractors and scheduling consultants are working diligently to make this happen.”

Planisek says the project team, based on currently available information, expects the building to be completed in late 2009, and open for academic use in January, 2010.