The Board for Student Publications Building Committee and
the editors and business managers of the publications have
approved the floor plans for the building renovation.The new plans emphasize the significance of
maintaining the historic character of the building while making better use of
the available space and make the building more accessible.The architects and interior designers have
assured the board that as much of the existing masonry, tiles, and wood
elements as possible will be maintained or reused.
To improve accessibility, a limited use, limited access
lift will be installed.This device,
much like an elevator but limited in scope and cost, will allow people with
mobility problems to move from floor to floor.
In addition, new rest rooms will be added to the second floor and the
rest rooms on the first floor will be relocated.All the rest rooms will satisfyADA guidelines.
The plan calls for the Gargoyle and Michiganensian offices
to move from the first floor to the same respective places on the second
floor.This will place them on the same
floor with the Daily edit staff and provide room on the first floor for board
staff.The individual stained glass
windows created for the Gargoyle and Michiganensian offices will be moved to
their new offices on the second floor. The library/boardroom moves from the second floor to the Gargoyle space
on the first floor, while a number of professional staff offices are
consolidated in the Michiganensian space.
The Daily business staff and the board office will move to
the first floor to make it easier for customers to do business without having
to go upstairs. This will allow the
Daily edit staff to consolidate on the second floor in the large newsroom with
the vaulted ceiling.
The rear stairway at the south end of the building will be
removed since it does not meet current code and replaced by a new stairway in
the southwest corner.This stairway will also lead to an emergency exit.
Underneath the stairway, on the first floor, will be a photography
studio.
The monumental stairway at the entrance remains the same and
the tile in the first floor entryway will be uncovered
to reveal the original flooring.
The building will have a new HVAC system, new plumbing, new
electrical systems and lighting, and new computer and telephone cabling.
Take a look for yourself at these
diagrams of the new floor designs are available in the building renovation portion
of this site.
Click here to see the new floor plans
Workers took the first steps in restoring the Student Publications Building this summer with exterior work that repaired or replaced damaged slate roof tiles, downspouts, gutters, and masonry. The exterior of the building is now secured. Windows will be repaired when everyone has been moved out of the building during the extensive interior work.
Just exactly what that interior work will entail depends upon the relationship of financial support, priorities set by the Board for Student Publications, and the creativity of University architects. The work will certainly make major strides in the building’s wiring, plumbing, fire safety, and accessibility. The most basic plans call for new electrical wiring and conduits for telecom wiring, new accessible restrooms on both first and second floors, a LULA (“Limited Use, Limited Access” lift) allowing access to the second floor for those unable to use stairs, improved heating and cooling with a fan coil system (which saves more than $700,000 over central air), the creation of an outside door on the south end of the building and new back stairs for fire safety, and asbestos abatement. Additional funding would allow for moving the business office to the first floor, where it will be much more visible and convenient for the public, new lighting, replacement of obsolete workstations, and more extensive improvements for function and appearance.
