Monday, December 10, 2007

RW News: Construction Project Update

With the construction of a new teaching gym and Florida A&M University Developmental Research School (FAMU-DRS), and the complete renovation and conversion of the University Commons, Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) main campus is undergoing a serious change.

Chuks Onwunli, interim director of Construction Operations, said each construction project is funded through the Public Education Capitol Outlay, (PECO), project.

According to Onwunli,

FAMU-DRS is scheduled to be completed by September 2008.
- Will hold up to 476 kindergarten through 12 grade students
- The school will be composed of six main buildings: a gymnasium, administration building,
cafeteria and elementary, middle and high school buildings.
- Have a football field, with a track, baseball and softball fields
- The construction cost of the new FAMU-DRS totals $24,656,782.

The conversion and renovation of the University Commons is scheduled to be completed by December 2008.
- It will feature the Academic Technology Lab (ATL) designed to provide students, faculty,
staff, administrators and alumni with assistance in the technology arena.
- House academic labs (writing, math, etc.), the Service Center (assisting with all problems
pertaining to email, OurFAMU, wireless, and limited software concerns),
conference rooms with video conferencing capabilities, electronic teaching facility, Web and
Pod Casting studio, Center for Credentialing, Internet Café, and a game room
- Sodexho will replace the Orange Room with a recent new concept. Their Einstein's Cafe has
been selected as the model for the 'Internet café.' The Internet café
seating will be adjacent to the open computer lab area of the building.
- Staff offices and the Enterprise and Information Technology Vice-President/CIO's Office.
- Construction cost for the University Commons totals $8,729,900

The Teaching Gym is scheduled to be completed by February 2009:
- The four-floored facility will be the new home to FAMU’s physical education department.
- Will feature sports training and physical education training areas, a hydrotherapy pool,
concession stands and ticket booths, interactive learning classrooms,
athletic and physical education offices, an indoor track and an arena that will seat more than
9,000
- Construction costs for the Teaching Gym totals $34,200,000.

In addition to the three construction and renovation projects on campus, Phase I, covering 2000 through 2007, of the FAMU 2000-2015 Master Plan includes the remodeling of the Dyson Pharmacy building, the construction of a parking garage and the remodeling and expansion of the Gore Education Complex, among a host of other projects. Phase II of the Master Plan, covering 2008 through 2015, along with other projects, includes the remodeling of Tucker Hall, the construction of phase II of the Recreation Center and an addition to the Perry-Paige Building.

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