Projects Completed in 2015

Here are the major construction projects that were completed during 2015:

Beall, McDowell, Prentice, and Dunbar Halls HVAC Replacement and Student Room Improvements
The three buildings within the Twin Towers Complex, Beall and McDowell halls, and Twin Towers Center, were all constructed in 1966; both Prentice and Dunbar halls were built in 1959. With this project, Residence Services replaced the HVAC systems and make student room improvements in Beall, McDowell, Prentice, and Dunbar halls. The project involved demolition of the existing two-pipe convection heating units and installation of new, four-pipe heating and air conditioning fan coil units along with the associated piping, power and temperature control infrastructure in Beall, McDowell, and Prentice halls; Dunbar Hall remained a two-pipe heating-only system. All heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems were designed to meet the university’s energy and sustainability goals. The existing asbestos-containing floor tile within the residence rooms and corridors was replaced with carpet tile floor finishes. Van Auken Akins Architects, LLC served as the Criteria Architect/Engineer and Gilbane Building Company was the Design-Builder for this project. Construction work within tunnels and mechanical areas began in February and the construction within the buildings occurred during the summer break. This project was completed this summer in time for returning students for Fall Semester.

Bowman Hall Fire Alarm Replacement
Bowman Hall's existing fire alarm system, original to the three-story with partial basement, 84,500 SF building, had failed and replacement parts were no longer available. The system was expanded upon in a renovation with a newer panel, but that panel was too small to support the whole building. The existing fire alarm system was removed and replaced with a new, addressable, voice evacuation system. M & M Electrical Contractors completed on-site installation work and system testing and inspections was completed by the end of Spring Semester. This project was designed by Thorson Baker + Associates, Inc.

Centennial Court and Engleman Hall ADA Improvements
These projects, designed by Metropolitan Architecture Studio, detailed necessary ADA enhancements, including revisions to restroom layouts, in Engleman Hall and the Centennial Court residence halls. Field investigation work was completed over the summer of 2014. Regency Construction Services, Inc. served as the Construction Manager at Risk for this combined project that was completed this summer in time for returning students the fall.

College of Podiatric Medicine Parking Lot Rehabilitation
Phase one of this project involved rehabilitation of the parking lot at the College of Podiatric Medicine. The parking lot surface course was beyond its intended life span and in need of repair/replacement; curbs were damaged and some had been paved up to the top. Work included investigation into subsurface condition and existing layers of asphalt. EnviroCom Construction is working on closeout items for phase one for this project that was designed by Karpinski Engineering, Inc.  Perrin Asphalt Co., Inc. completed paving work for the second phase of this project in late September. Landscaping was completed during the fall planting season.

Dix Stadium Football Locker Room Renovation
The original Dix Stadium football locker room facilities were outdated and finishes and furnishings were in worn condition. A full interior renovation of the men's varsity football locker room facilities included installation of new architectural finishes, lockers, and plumbing fixtures. The football team began using the renovation locker room in late summer for practice season. Stitle Construction Corporation completed minor punch list items and the HVAC work this fall. This project was designed in-house by the Office of the University Architect.

Engleman Hall Roof Replacement
Engleman Hall’s existing EPDM roof was removed and replaced. The garden roof system/pavers were removed and replaced with a new paver system. Fall protection equipment was installed. This project was designed by Braun & Steidl Architects. Cardinal Maintenance Roofing, Inc.'s on-site construction was completed in August prior to the students return for fall semester.

Geauga Classroom Building HVAC Replacements, Phase 4
In 2010, Kent State University at Geauga commissioned a study to evaluate the Classroom Building's heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems to determine and recommend which HVAC equipment and systems are most in need of replacement and to recommend a system type for replacement. Karpinski Engineering, Inc. designed the multiple phases of this project to complete the HVAC replacements as separate work during the course of several years. During Phase 4 of this project, the last Trane rooftop unit was removed and a new make-up air and VRF system installed to complete the building's remaining areas conversion to a VRF system, thus completing the overall system. Synergy, LLC's on-site Phase 4 construction is complete bringing the full building system online. The project is currently in the finalization of the punch list and completion of close-out documents.

Institutional Advancement Building
A new Institutional Advancement Building was built as a public/private partnership with GMS Development as the Developer and Gilbane Building Company as the Construction Manager. The project was financed through the Portage County Port Authority. In early December, the Advancement Operations, Alumni Relations, Gift and Estate Planning, Corporate and Foundation Relations, the Office of Institutional Advancement, and the University Foundation relocated into the newly completed building now called the Center for Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement. The facility includes administrative offices, a call center, meeting rooms, an 80-person event space with an adjacent exhibition hall, and associated support spaces. The three-story building encompass approximately 34.000 SF and is situated prominently on the northwest corner of Lincoln and Summit streets. As a result of the sloping site, the first floor entrance is located at the northwest side of the building, while the second floor can be accessed from the southeast side of the building. A 120-car tiered parking lot can be accessed from Willow Street to the west and Lincoln Street to the east. This project was built to comply with the USGBC standards to achieve a Silver LEED certification level.

Kent Campus Classroom, Laboratory, Auxiliary Buildings and Utility Assets Energy Conservation Project, Phase I
In mid-November 2012, The Brewer-Garrett Company commenced activity on their Performance Contract services for energy conservation measures in Kent Campus classroom, laboratory and auxiliary buildings, Summit Street Power Plant and utilities infrastructure. This project impacted over 3.6 million square feet of buildings, plus parking lot and roadway lighting and campus utilities (electricity, natural gas, chilled water, steam, domestic water and sewer). The potential fifty million dollar project was limited to a twenty-five million dollar Phase 1 with a possible, but yet to-be-determined value, future Phase 2. External special bond funding was approved by the Kent State University Board of Trustees and the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority; funding all-in rate achieved 1.25% with a very positive effect on project cash flow. The project is utilizing Ohio House Bill 7 Performance Contracting regulations for payback of the project costs with guaranteed energy savings and possibly operational and avoided capital costs over a maximum 15-year time period. Expectations for Phase 1 of this project are that the majority of the House Bill 251 energy use reduction goals of 20% will be met. New windows were installed at: Administrative Services Building, Bowman Hall, DeWeese Health Center, Dix Stadium, Library and the Kent State University Museum at Rockwell Hall. New HVAC equipment was installed at: MAC Center, Schwartz Center, and the Ice Arena. Exterior lighting poles were retrofitted with LEDs. The Power Plant’s gas and electric utility contracts and operation were re-negotiated. Building envelope repairs were completed at: Administrative Services Building, Bowman Hall, DeWeese Health Center, Dix Stadium, KSU Museum, Library and Nixson Hall skylights. Bowman, Henderson, Moulton, and Nixson halls received new roofs. Lights with occupancy sensors were retrofitted in seventy-seven structures, air handlers were replaced in the MAC Center gym, chillers, boilers, pumps, heat exchangers and domestic water heating systems were replaced in the Schwartz Center, piping system insulation was installed, building envelopes were repaired, and comprehensive utility metering was installed. Closeout of the original scope items is in process and complete UFM staff training is pending. With remaining funds, several other projects were added to the original scope and extended this performance contract. Nixson Hall's original, 45-year old chiller is failing, thus new piping was connected to the Center for the Performing Arts' chiller and completed by start of cooling season. The Library's 46-year old main condensate pump system was replaced due to chronic failures with new steam pressure motive pumps. The Library's front stairwell doors were replaced to save energy and produce a cohesive front entry appearance. The new fiberglass doors were painted to match the new champagne color window system. Two decorative LED uplights were added to the Library west facade to match the existing lights on the south facade. Controls were installed to allow for remotely changing the lighting program to enable special-events lighting. All eleven original mercury light fixtures in the Library overhang were replaced with new LED fixtures with controls. Exterior lighting fixtures were replaced with LED and controlled lighting at 12-story main glass wall stairwell for daylight energy savings. As-Built drawings and project closeout for the additional work were completed in April.

Korb Hall Elevator Modernization
This project, designed by Van Auken Akins Architects, details the modernization of Korb Hall’s elevator. This project utilized the existing hoistway while making improvements to the elevator machinery and adding necessary fire prevention features. Stitle Construction Corporation's on-site work was completed in August prior to the students' return for fall semester.

Medium Voltage Loop 6B
This project, designed in-house by the Office of the University Architect, completes the process of abandoning the old, unreliable 5kv electrical distribution system in favor of the new and more efficient, higher voltage system. Work involved upgrading cabling and electrical equipment to enable the remaining buildings (Allerton Apartments, Art Building, Child Development Center, DeWeese Health Center, Ice Arena, Harbourt, Heer, Stewart, and VanCampen halls, Student Recreation and Wellness Center, and WKSU Broadcast Center) to accept the 13.2kv distribution voltage. All pre-existing, remaining 5kv cabling and equipment were removed and a new, 13.2kv capacitor bank was installed. Lake Erie Electric has converted all buildings over to the new system.

Nixson Hall Kitchen Renovation
Kitchen equipment in Nixson Hall's Food Lab was original to the building, circa 1965, and was showing its age. This project provided new finishes, new cabinets, ceilings and MEP systems in the kitchen space. Lauren Building Company's on-site work was completed with installation of new cabinetry in mid-September.

Olson Center Rehabilitation for University College
The former Olson Center, located along the Lefton Esplanade and adjacent to the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center, was built in 1961 as a dining facility, but was converted to offices in the early 1980s. Renovations to this newly renamed "Center for Undergraduate Excellence" enhanced the facade facing this highly-visited section of campus and addressed deferred maintenance issues. The University College was located in the Olson Center; the University College Center for Excellence tutoring and other operations are located in the Schwartz Center and the Library. At 28,000 SF, the former kitchen and dining hall areas that recently housed University College and two departments from the School of Art were transformed into a modern, student-focused tutoring and exploratory advising center. With its prime location in the center of campus, students can easily access tools to help them achieve success at Kent State, including group tutoring, walk-in tutoring, online tutoring and scheduled tutoring. Domokur Architects designed this project; it will be registered with the USGBC for minimum Silver LEED certification. Maximizing energy conservation is a critical component of the design goals to comply with House Bill 251. Separate consultants are under contract to assist Kent State on this project: The Ruhlin Company served as the Major Construction Program Manager, Doty & Miller Architects & Planners, Inc. was the LEED Process Consultant, and Four Seasons Environmental, Inc. was the Commissioning Agent. Dunlop & Johnston's on-site construction was completed in March in time for University College’s (formerly Undergraduate Studies) planned move-in. On March 20, the University College officially relocated into their newly-renovated Center for Undergraduate Excellence (formerly Olson Center). The dedication of the newly renovated facility was held on April 28.

Salem Classroom Building Partial Roof Replacement, Phase 1
During Phase one of the project, Kent State University at Salem replaced two large areas of roof at the Classroom Building with a new, single-ply, 20-year warrantied membrane system. The project was designed in-house by the Office of the University Architect. Cardinal Maintenance Roofing's on-site construction was completed in the spring.

Salem Classroom Building Partial Roof Replacement, Phase 2
During phase two of this project, four large areas of the Salem Classroom Building's roof were removed and replaced with a new, single-ply, 20-year warrantied membrane system. This project was designed in-house by the Office of the University Architect. Phase 2 work involved the removal of the old roof system and installation of the new roof and was completed late fall by Boak & Sons.

Salem Classroom Building Second Floor Build-Out
This project completed the build-out of the Salem Campus' Classroom Building second floor Science Wing and included a biology lab and prep room; a chemistry lab, prep room, instrumentation room, and storage room; two general classrooms; a general storage room; and two student restrooms. Stitle Construction Corporation's construction was completed in late spring for this project that was designed by Hasenstab Architects. Departmental move-ins were completed prior to the start of summer classes.

Stark Library HVAC and Ceiling Replacement, Phase 1
Kent State University at Stark’s Library Building, built in 1976, houses the Library, offices, classrooms and supports spaces. Peters Tschantz & Associates, Inc. designed this multiple-phase HVAC replacement project so that each phase could be done floor by floor. Under phase one, the reheat piping was completed on the basement level and the mains were extended to the first and second floors. The Standard Plumbing and Heating Company completed the mechanical system upgrades under the first phase.

Stark Sciences Building
BHDP Architecture assisted the university with designing the new Kent State University at Stark Sciences Building of approximately 41,140 SF and renovating approximately 5,250 SF of the existing Main Hall East Wing. Heapy Engineering served as the Commissioning Agent. The new building supports the Science programs and accommodates science teaching and research laboratories such as Biology, Physics, and Earth Sciences, as well as Nursing laboratories and classrooms. The building also contains general and computer classrooms, faculty offices and a student cyber lounge. The new Sciences Building is located adjacent to the Main Hall East Wing with a link at the second floor to connect the new building with the renovated science laboratories in the Main Hall East Wing. Site development included a building receiving area, accessible parking, pedestrian walkways, lighting and landscaping. Faculty and staff have relocated into the new building’s offices and laboratories. Main Hall East Wing’s former Biology laboratories and prep/storage areas were converted to accommodate the Chemistry program and construction is substantially complete with faculty and staff occupying the facility. Jeffery Carr Construction is working toward completion of all punch list items and has started close-out documentation.

Student Memorial Garden
To create a singular location for student memorials, the Student Memorial Garden was built on the Kent Campus for students to remember and recognize students that have passed away. This spring,  Hummel Construction Company and W. T. Leone's Tri-Area Electric Company completed work on this project that was designed by Robert D. Morgan, LLC. The dedication of the Student Memorial Garden was held on April 28.

Tri-Towers Residence Halls Rooms and HVAC Upgrades
Built in 1968, the Tri-Towers complex consists of two ten-story residence halls, one twelve-story residence hall and a central connecting building for dining and student activities. The complex houses approximately 1,400 students and previously received two large-scale, but partial renovations within the last ten years. This project addresses deferred maintenance issues, including aging HVAC infrastructure, building envelope failures, interior room configurations and finishes that were not corrected as part of previous renovations and extending the life of the buildings for another thirty years. Domokur Architects served as the Architect of Record to assist with designing and providing project management for all phases of the project. The AOR contracted directly with Scheeser Buckley Mayfield for MEP engineering design. Four Seasons Environmental served as the Commissioning Agent. Gilbane Building Company was the Construction Manager at Risk for this project. Construction was completed during the summers of 2013 and 2014 in Wright, Koonce, and Leebrick halls. During the summer of 2015, the Rotunda received similar exterior repairs and a new roof.

Tuscarawas Founders Hall Roof Replacement
Kent State University at Tuscarawas replaced the roof at the Classroom Building (Founders Hall) with a new, single-ply, 20-year warrantied membrane system. This Capitally-funded project was designed in-house by the Office of the University Architect. Campopiano Roofing Company completed installation of the new roof in late fall.

Twinsburg Academic Center Parking Lot Expansion, Phase 1
At the Kent State University at Geauga's Twinsburg Academic Center, additional student parking was needed to prevent overflow of student parking in the adjacent business parking lots. This project developed the first phase of additional student parking as planned in the original building design. North Coast Paving Company's on-site construction was completed this fall. This project was designed by Payto Architects, Inc.

White Hall Restroom Renovation
White Hall's restrooms were original to the building, circa 1966, and did not meet current ADA guidelines; finishes and fixtures were worn. This project provided new finishes, and upgrade HVAC, electrical and plumbing systems for code compliance and to meet ADA requirements in White Hall's restrooms. The Cornice Company's on-site construction was completed on the first through fourth floors at the start of fall semester. Work on the fifth floor continued through early fall. This project was designed by Vocon Design, Inc.