University Times

Pitt trustees this week approved four construction projects totaling more than $32 million, including one of a series of residence halls to be built on the Pittsburgh upper campus.

The trustees’ property and facilities committee — which is authorized to approve building projects of more than $1 million — gave its okay April 28 to:

• Construction of a 9-story undergraduate residence hall with a 420-bed capacity by fall 2004.

At a cost of $22.1 million, the new dormitory is part of the University’s strategy to guarantee four-year, on-campus housing to undergraduates who request it, Pitt officials said. Pitt hopes to build at least three more dorms by 2006 east of the Petersen Center, on and near the former site of the razed Pennsylvania Hall, to increase Pitt’s overall on-campus capacity from about 6,000 to 7,000 beds.

The source of the project’s funding is the auxiliary debt, according to background material provided by the property and facilities committee. The $2.4 million estimated annual operating cost of the 9-story dorm is expected to be offset by $2.5 million annual income from residents’ room and board fees.

The residence hall will have two types of accommodations. Student suites will house four students in two bedrooms, with two full bathrooms and a common living area. Other student “hotel rooms” will house two students in one bedroom with one bathroom.

The residence hall also will include entry lobbies, laundries and common lounge areas.

The project still must get City Council approval. According to Mary Beth Doheny, deputy city clerk, City Council’s planning, zoning and land use committee recommended that the dormitory project be included on City Council’s agenda. Council is expected to schedule a public hearing on the project prior to voting, Doheny said.

Following City Council’s approval, the project returns to the City Planning Commission, which granted initial approval on April 8, for review of the building’s specifications and construction schedule.

• Phase I of Posvar Hall renovations. At a cost of $6.16 million, using Office of the Provost reserve funding, the University will renovate several areas in Posvar Hall, primarily on the 3rd, 4th and 5th floors.

This summer, work is expected to be done at the School of Education and the Department of Economics. The education school will be centralized in contiguous space on the renovated 5th floor, and economics will have contiguous space on the 4th floor, both ready for occupancy this fall, according to Pitt officials.

During the fall, areas currently occupied by education on the 4th floor and some areas occupied by economics on that floor will be renovated to house an expanded area for the University Center for International Studies (UCIS).

The Department of Africana Studies, currently located on the 3rd floor, will move to renovated space vacated by UCIS on the 4th floor, with expected occupancy by summer term 2004.

The phase I renovation project includes relocating partition walls and doors, creating some new offices and classrooms, painting and re-carpeting, power and data wiring, and modifications to lighting and control systems.

In fiscal year 2005, phase II renovations of Posvar Hall will include expanding the contiguous area for the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs on the 3rd floor, as well as renovations of classrooms and other spaces.

According to trustees’ background material, the Posvar Hall renovation project will improve the overall functionality and ambiance of the building through improved aesthetics, including enhanced lighting and noise abatement, and easier navigation with more distinctive unit entrances and a clearer room numbering scheme.

• Litchfield Towers A and C interior upgrades. Using funding from auxiliary reserves, Pitt will spend $2.6 million to complete the renovation of Litchfield Towers rooms, corridors and bathrooms that began last year in Tower B. The project consists of interior upgrades, including painting and replacing light fixtures, carpeting, bulletin boards, shelves and toilet partitions.

• Hickory Hall (Johnstown campus) renovation. A UPJ dormitory constructed in 1969 that houses 160 students, Hickory Hall will undergo interior renovations in fiscal years 2004 and 2005. Renovations include upgrading building systems, fixtures, hardware and finishes, as well as the installation of a new sprinkler system and replacement of all furnishings.

The cost is $1.73 million, with the Johnstown campus auxiliary debt as the source of funding.

—Peter Hart