Renovation projects around campus are wrapping up in time for the start of a new semester. The Calvin T. Ryan Library project is in its final phase of construction and students are moving back into Randall Hall after it was offline for renovations during the 2023-24 academic year.
Final touches are being made so the library is ready for students.
“The goal is to be as close to complete before the first day of classes as possible,” said Greg Christen, project manager for the Nebraska University system. “This is kind of that stage in construction where there are a lot of moving parts and you gotta get as much done as you can. I think we’ll be good, but there might be a couple of items that are just kind of touch-up items by the time school comes around.”
The $25 million project is part of the LB384 bill, which provides deferred maintenance funding from the state. Christen said the primary goal was to reduce the burden on the campus from a maintenance perspective and to be energy efficient, making mechanical and electrical systems a priority.
This allowed workers to reconfigure the layout and add more meeting spaces and lounges. It also included tearing down the wall between the Department of Communication and the library to create a more open concept.
“This is really going to allow us to be a collaborative building similar to what we have in a lot of our other newer facilities on campus, where it’s really about how can our departments work together,” Christen said.
Everything in the building received new paint, carpet and furnishings. Christen said there have been some delays in glass and furniture delivery, but the team has focused on making sure classrooms are fully functional.
One big change is on the second floor, which will house the Loper Success Hub. The hub will be home to Academic Advising and Career Development, tutoring, TRiO-Student Support Services, success coaches and Disability Services for Students.
Christen said he wants the library to be a “destination” for students and a welcoming environment.
“We’re just excited to finally have a space for students to use again,” Christen said. “It’s been a couple of years almost now that we’ve been kind of in transition, so we’re excited to get students back and using the spaces for how they were intended.”
Another building welcoming students back is Randall Hall, which went offline in May 2023 to start renovations.
The project focused on making upgrades in the dorm rooms, including installing new flooring and ceiling tiles, repainting the walls, replacing the HVAC systems and tearing out the built-in dressers. Residents will have a little more flexibility with arranging their furniture and adjusting their thermostats than before.
The upgrades give the room a more up-to-date feel.
“The biggest benefit for the students is the rooms just look more modern,” said Matt Allbright, associate director of operations in residence life. “They don’t have that 1950s, 1960s vibe anymore, and so the rooms are going to look really nice.”
Allbright said the lounge and common spaces were redone in 2008 or 2009, so no changes were made there during this project.
A few other projects have been in the works over the summer, including sidewalk repairs and roofing projects. Windows were replaced in Bruner Hall of Science, and the Health and Sports Center got a facelift with an updated color scheme.
Plans began for the demolition of the old Greek buildings, University Residence North and South. The demolition is expected to be complete by the end of November.
Photos by Jenna Heinz / Antelope Staff
