BRADFORD, Pa. -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford is
in the midst of a $33.8 million building and renovation phase that will create
more and better space for students to live and eat and improve safety on
campus.
“The many
construction projects occurring on our campus will enable us to live up to our
commitment to provide safe and comfortable housing for our students,” said Dr.
Livingston Alexander, president of Pitt-Bradford.
The largest of 19 projects underway is a construction of a
new $16.9 million, 178-bed residence hall. The project began in May when the
university tore down one of its 40-year-old townhouses to make room for the new
hall. The net gain for the campus will be 38 beds.
The increase in students living on campus meant that it was
time to expand the KOA Dining Hall in the Frame-Westerberg Commons and to
enlarge the food production and storage area. The $4.7 million project will add
69 seats and nearly 3,000 square feet to the food production, food storage and
dishwashing areas. Carl E. Swanson & Sons of Bradford is one of the
contractors for the project.
Swanson & Sons was also the general contractor for the
$5.7 million renovation to Marilyn Horne Hall on Main Street in Bradford. The
renovation included adding the Marilyn Horne Museum and Exhibit Center, which
opened May 6.
In addition to the museum in honor of the world-famous opera
star and Bradford native who donated her archives to Pitt, the ground floor of
the building contains a gift shop and café, meeting space, manager’s office for
the Marilyn Horne Museum and Exhibit Center and an office for the Bradford
Creative and Performing Arts Center.
Another significant project is a $3 million bridge
replacement by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation on Dorothy Lane.
PennDOT will not only replace the bridge, but is also installing earthen
medians, sidewalks, stamped crosswalks, new asphalt surface and lighting – all
of which will make the area safer for pedestrians.
“PennDOT is covering
virtually all costs associated with construction,” Alexander said. “Upon
completion, Pennsylvania will transfer ownership of the road to Bradford
Township which in turn will transfer ownership to the university.”
Local contractors L.C. Whitford Co. of Wellsville, NY and IA
Construction Corp. of Lewis Run are working on the Dorothy Lane project.
More than a dozen other projects range from repairing
brickwork at the Tom L. McDowell Field House for $50,000 to replacing the roof
of Fisher Hall at a cost of $550,000.
“These projects
represent deferred maintenance -- meaning longstanding problems throughout the
campus -- that we’re finally getting the opportunity to address,” Alexander
said.
“We want to dispel
any notion that the many construction projects are simply to enhance the appeal
of the campus. The projects are essential for safety and compliance with
modern-day housing standards. They also ensure we’re appropriately positioned
to handle current and future housing needs.”
Pure Tech Electric of Bradford is upgrading the fire alarm
systems in Hanley Library on campus and the lighting in the KOA Arena.
Other projects include the restoration of tennis courts
damaged by the rupture of a Bradford City Water Authority line, relocation of
water lines at the Kessel Athletic Complex to prevent future damage, and
relocating electric and gas utility lines necessary for the construction of the
new residence hall.
At the university-owned home of the Pitt-Bradford president
at 120 School Street, Bob Cummins Construction Company of Bradford and
Quattrone Masonry of Ridgway are working on replacing the terrace which after
many years had fallen into a state of disrepair and the associated retaining
walls, steps and railings.
