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Over the past few days, concrete trucks have been a familiar sight around the School of Communications expansion project, as crews lay cement slabs in preparation for brick walkways and patios. The above video was the scene right outside Tommy Kopetskie’s office window this afternoon.
In preparation for the upcoming brick work and landscaping between Steers Pavilion and Whitley Auditorium, the construction crew relocated the safety fence between the two buildings. So for all you walkers buried in your cellphones, be care! It’s a little narrow at the moment.
So what will be between Dwight C. Schar Hall and Steers Pavilion? Good inquiry, fictitious questioner! In case of emergency, there will be a small entrance to allow medical and fire personnel access to the historic neighborhoods and the School of Communications. That explains the recent concrete poured on Lebanon Avenue. Note: This will not be a small parking lot, in case you were wondering.
In case you don’t follow Communications Dean Paul Parsons on Twitter – which you should – here’s a recent photo he posted on Sept. 7 of Snow Family Grand Atrium. While the photo taken by J McMerty, Elon in LA director, might initially catch your attention, the real news is underneath. Yes, in just six weeks the facility will be open to the public.
During a Communications Department meeting earlier this week, Dean Parsons noted faculty and staff members are likely just 20 days away from starting the move-in process. As for other upcoming milestones, the installation of 230 seats in Turner Theatre will begin next week. It should take about a week to complete the project. The theatre’s projection system is a little behind schedule, but should be in place by early October.
Additionally, the walkway between Steers Pavilion and Whitley Auditorium will be temporary closed in the coming days to allow the construction crew to prep the area for its new layout and design.
Here’s an angle of the School of Communications’ expansion project you likely haven’t seen before. The above image is a screenshot of drone footage accompanying an article, titled “Elon construction hits milestone — watch this drone video,” that was published Aug. 14 on the Triad Business Journal’s website. The video was shot by members of the Elon University Communications Office.
If still photography interests you more, check out this gallery of the cupola’s installation on the university’s Facebook page.
We can’t wait for our students to return to campus and see the renovated McEwen Communications Building. Want a sneak peek? Here’s a photo gallery. We expect the new First Amendment display will have quite an impact on our aspiring media professionals! And our faculty and staff members agree.
“The new First Amendment display in the Elon University School of Communications renovated McEwen is beautiful,” wrote Colin Donohue in a Aug. 12 Facebook note. “It’s prominently featured along the main hallway, and it will be clearly visible from the still-to-come Elon News Network newsroom. What a wonderful touch.”
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Construction workers – and one sizable crane – put a cupola atop Dwight C. Schar Hall approximately 20 minutes before noon on Aug. 11. If our minute-long Instagram video wasn’t enough, check out University Communications’ nearly 20-minute version on Facebook.
How’s the progress inside Dwight C. Schar Hall? It will startle you – literally. When you now walk into an empty room, the automated lights turn on. That’s a bit disconcerting the first time it happens when you’re walking the building alone. But the good news is the building’s interior is coming together with most of the office doors installed, accent paint added and interior windows prepped. In many of the rooms you can even feel the air conditioning running. Want to see for yourself? Check out this updated photo album.
As you walk through Schar Hall’s north entrance (top photo), visitors arrive at the dean’s suite’s lobby – shown directly above. To the right, beyond the yellow cart, is the entrance to the suite’s offices. To the left, the opening takes you to the stairs.
If you pass by Snow Family Grand Atrium, you’ll likely notice the newly installed windows reflecting back at you. Inside the glass, crew members are completing work on the roof and ceiling. Beyond the scissor lift, you can see entrance to Turner Theatre and Schar Hall is covered with plywood, keeping the aforementioned air conditioning inside.
As the sun rose over Snow Family Grand Atrium on Aug. 6, passersby could see the progress of the facility’s window installation. As of this morning, the construction crew has completely about two-thirds of the installation. Also notice the installed glass on the new McEwen studio.
Photo by Sam Roberts/Times-News
On the bright side, the Aug. 3 Burlington Times-News news article highlighting the School of Communications’ expansion noted many of the project’s benefits: new media labs and faculty offices, additional student engagement spaces and a high-definition theater. Unfortunately, the headline also read: “Rain puts Elon campus construction behind schedule.”
The article, penned by reporter Jessica Williams, noted comments Elon President Leo M. Lambert made during the university’s first Community Breakfast. Among the presidential insights was the fact that the new communications facilities are approximately 70 days behind schedule. “We’ve had Noah’s Ark weather during this construction project,” Lambert joked.
But the rain can only delay construction so long. Lambert also expressed excitement that once completed the expansion will encourage deeper personal relationships between students and faculty members.