This Week in Construction: Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On*

Updates from Chad Sweatman, Manager, Building Support Services:

• Temporary partitions are in place on the second and third floors, in preparation for further demolition
• Landscaping beds have been demolished at the front and plaza areas
• Most of the limestone panels have been removed (plastic is in place for temporary weatherproofing)
• Gas line has been relocated
• Work has begun on the new electrical manhole and duct bank (these are the viaducts for electricity into the building)
• Foundation test drilling is almost complete (stone will need to be hammered out for footings and elevator pit)
• Red fabric will be installed on the construction fence by the end of the week
• Excavation for footings will begin next week
• Footings will be poured and formed toward the end of next week through March 11
• Structural steel will begin arriving mid-March and installation will start soon after

Landscaping beds in the process of removal.

Foundation testing.

Anticipate that entry to the building from Tenth Street is likely to change in the weeks to come as the stairwell that leads from SPEA into Kelley’s Career Services area will eventually be blocked as construction progresses. From Tenth, you'll continue to be able to enter SPEA via Hodge Hall then the ramp with this bit of good construction humor:

Keep your peace during construction. 

*About the title: While the song "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" was popularized by Jerry Lee Lewis in 1957, it was first recorded by Big Maybelle in 1955. Who wrote it? Now, that is a matter of contention.