Arbor Building gets remodelled

Kelly Crittenden

The Signal

Construction continues as the Arbor Building gets remodelled.

Hard hats. Piles of dirt. Dumpsters. That is the scenery outside the Arbor Building as renovations are being made and space is being added.

Some staff members are excited about the benefits of the updated and remodeled Arbor Building.

“Most exciting to me is being able to update the oldest building on our campus,” said Ward Martaindale, assistant vice president of facilities management and construction. “Not only to bring it up-to-date with current ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) and Life Safety Code requirements, but to give the occupants of the building a fresh look and a building that more completely meets their needs.”

Planning began in early 2007 and architects were hired later that year.

“The plans are for two additions: one built to the south of a little over 12,300 square feet and one built to the north of about 21,400 square feet,” said Daniel Wilson, director of planning, interior design and contract.

Amenities in the Arbor Building are changing, from plumbing to lighting, and floors to ceilings.

“The major part of what has to be done is to refurbish the infrastructure of the original building,” said Anne Coppenhaver, director of Center for Educational Programs and clinical associate professor in educational leadership, who teaches in the Arbor Building. “I can’t think of anything that will remain exactly as it is.”

Many classrooms are expanding in size and facility space is being built to house more programs.

“I’ll have some built-in things, some things that function better and improvements for this area,” said Ann Waltz, director of Children’s Art School and lecturer in applied design and visual arts. “The department is gaining access to the arts building. There will be a place where trucks can come in and deliver big equipment or materials for some of the classes.”

The psychology program is gaining space from the renovations. They will have their own clinic space for training and research purposes. This will include a space dedicated to The Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, said Dorothea Lerman, professor of psychology.

“UHCL administration has shown strong support for these programs by dedicating new space in the expanded and remodeled Arbor Building so that we may enhance our teaching, service and research,” Lerman said.

The School of Education will have updated technology and spaces to continue to offer teacher training, Coppenhaver said.

They will also gain a “model classroom to teach education students how to teach the sciences,” Wilson added.

With the construction taking place, it appears the disruption has caused some of the wildlife on campus to become more visible.

“One benefit to our human occupants is possibly being able to enjoy seeing more deer during the day,” Martaindale said. “It appears to me that there are more deer out in the open during the day.”

The renovations also require building in the sports field.

“A portion of the existing sports field has been lost to the project to accommodate the required storm water retention area,” Martaindale said.

There are plans to shift the field to the south, as well as improve the lighting of the field in the future.

Each department has its own expected completion date, but the final phase is planned to be completed in the fall semester of 2011.

“The university really likes to serve students,” Waltz said. “We’re really excited.”