In February 2019, we started investigating the possibility of renovating our public restrooms. A year later, we are almost at the finish line! In the Spring 2019 semester Shawna Kennedy-Witthar and Beth Vizzini began working with SSC and DPS Design to come up with detailed architectural and interior design plans. The actual renovation process didn’t start until December 2019. Tri-State General Contracting Group, LLC fenced off the lay-down area outside the east stairwell between the planter and library wall on Friday 12/13/19. The renovation itself started Monday, 12/16/19 when Tri-State put up plastic barriers and tunnels around the restrooms on Monday and Arlo Environmental worked on an asbestos abatement. The abatement was completed by the end of the week. The demolition portion of the renovation was completed over the holiday break while the University was closed. The contractors removed everything down to the studs.
As the Spring semester moved forward, the restrooms started to take shape again. Plumbing in all of the restrooms was completed by the week of February 17th, at which time the drywall was added to the remainder of the restrooms. Electrical and HVAC were mostly complete by the end of February. Ceilings were installed the first week of March. Tile work began the third week in March. Fixtures such as toilets, urinals, counter tops, and partitions began to be added the first week of April. Painting and final touches started in May. Throughout the renovation the upstairs restrooms were about a week behind the downstairs restrooms. However, the majority of the renovations to both sets of restrooms was completed by Friday, May 15th! Contractors worked on finalizing the finishing touches and fixing imperfections the week of May 18th.