Des Places Hall construction on schedule

Exterior construction of Duquesne's new dorm, Des Places Hall, is almost complete, and construction has shifted to focus on the building's interior.  

George Fecik, director of facilities management, said construction on the $37.4 million dorm is on schedule to wrap up in July. The 12-floor structure has an upper level that is almost completely enclosed by glass. Fecik said the glasswork is the last major part of the building's exterior that needs to be completed.

"For all practical purposes, the building is enclosed," Fecik said.

Mark Minoski, construction project manager for facilities management, said the glass walls will be panel-wall system similar to that of the Power Center. The glass-paneled areas will house a conference center on the 12th floor, while the paneled areas on floors three through 11 will each house a lounge area and laundry room.

Fecik said the brickwork and flooring of Des Places is completed and permanent heat has been installed. Aside from putting up the glass and windows, P.J. Dick has been working on the dry wall and painting and are "up to the sixth or seventh floor," Fecik said.

Minoski said the plan for the rest of the construction will be to finish the third through 12th floors first, then move onto the first and second. He added that the brickwork has been ahead of schedule due to unseasonably warm winter weather.

"We're on schedule … we did all our planning, and it has been a relatively smooth project," Fecik said.

With the construction of the hall on schedule, Fecik said he expects both the dormitory and a newly renovated McCloskey Field to be ready for the fall semester.

The project's budget is on track as well. Matt Frist, director of budget a planning, said the project's budgeted $37.4 million has remained the same.

"No additions have been made to the budget…," Frist said. "We have spent $24.5 million to date, and the project is approximately 75 percent complete."

The 12-story dormitory is a certified-LEED Gold building and has plenty of interesting environmentally-conscious components, Minoski said.

Along with solar panels on the roof, every floor will have its respective electricity consumption measured and displayed on the second floor. Each room will have personal heating controls, and the faucets and toilets will be water-saving.  The building will also have wireless internet access.

The dorm will house 430 upper-classmen.

The Office of Residence Life plans to have a virtual walkthrough of Des Places ready for online viewing by the end of this week on the Residence Life homepage.