Spring Break
Safra Center construction delayed due to budget issues
News | 3/11/08
Posted online at 3:19 AM EST on 3/11/08
The Edmond J. Safra Center for the Arts building project is currently delayed due to budgetary constraints, but construction on the Ridgewood residence halls and The Carl J. Shapiro Science Center, as well as Usen Hall renovations, are on schedule for completion.
"The cost estimate has gone significantly higher than our budget. ... We've had some discussion with the donor at the Safra Foundation. There is going to be some delay in the project," said Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Peter French.
Three components are required for building development, schematics, design and construction documents, and the Safra Center is 50 percent finished with the design phase, French said.
The Safra Center will replace the Pollack Fine Arts Teaching Center behind the Rose Art Museum. The teaching center is expected to be removed in June 2008. Construction for Phase 1 of the Safra Center was initially projected to be complete this summer but the delays in the design phase of the project may push back the projected date of construction.
"Analysis and discussions are underway now, but at this point we don't know how long the delay will be. Our goal is to have this be as short as possible," said Vice President of Capital Projects Dan Feldman.
Feldman said that rooms in the new Ridgewood residence quad will be ready for occupancy in Jan. 2009. Noise complaints from Ziv Quad and the Village last semester led to meetings with Feldman, students and Residence Life staff. Progression into a quieter phase of the construction helped to alleviate some of the noise problems, Feldman said.
Two of the three Ridgewood buildings closest to Spingold Theater have a block-and-plank construction scheme. "[We] are in the beginning process of roughing out the structure that will be the envelope for the building," Feldman said. The third building closest to the admissions parking is made of steel, and a roof will be installed fairly soon, he said.
"The cost estimate has gone significantly higher than our budget. ... We've had some discussion with the donor at the Safra Foundation. There is going to be some delay in the project," said Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Peter French.
Three components are required for building development, schematics, design and construction documents, and the Safra Center is 50 percent finished with the design phase, French said.
The Safra Center will replace the Pollack Fine Arts Teaching Center behind the Rose Art Museum. The teaching center is expected to be removed in June 2008. Construction for Phase 1 of the Safra Center was initially projected to be complete this summer but the delays in the design phase of the project may push back the projected date of construction.
"Analysis and discussions are underway now, but at this point we don't know how long the delay will be. Our goal is to have this be as short as possible," said Vice President of Capital Projects Dan Feldman.
Feldman said that rooms in the new Ridgewood residence quad will be ready for occupancy in Jan. 2009. Noise complaints from Ziv Quad and the Village last semester led to meetings with Feldman, students and Residence Life staff. Progression into a quieter phase of the construction helped to alleviate some of the noise problems, Feldman said.
Two of the three Ridgewood buildings closest to Spingold Theater have a block-and-plank construction scheme. "[We] are in the beginning process of roughing out the structure that will be the envelope for the building," Feldman said. The third building closest to the admissions parking is made of steel, and a roof will be installed fairly soon, he said.
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