Update: campus construction on steady course

By Tiffeny Fields
Features Editor

Despite last semester’s problems, campus construction is on track. A hurricane, a broken water pipe, cut cables and mold have had no effect on UNCP’s facelift.

“Construction is underway so far on four projects - Jones, Oxendine, the Physical Plant and the Regional Center,” Director of Facilities Planning and Design Bess Tyner said. “These projects are on schedule.”

Oxendine’s improvements include new “state of the art” labs, classrooms and faculty offices.

Other projects scheduled to begin this year include the new Business Services and Bookstore at a cost of $2.6 million, the University Center Annex for $3 million, a new classroom building for $6.7 million and a new main entrance to the university off Odom Road for $2 million.

There will also be renovations to Locklear Hall ($2 million), the Business Administration Building ($1 million) and updates to water and electrical services.

Phase II of the University Village Apartments will begin in February, according to Tyner.
Despite all of the improvements to our campus, none of these renovations address UNCP’s record growth.

“The bond program that the voters passed in 2000 was never intended to address growth issues. Its purpose was simply to bring current facilities up to standard, and address deferred maintenance,” Tyner said.

“Planning is underway on a second bond issue which would address the growth needs of all of the UNC campuses. The university will be working with the legislature to hopefully have this on the ballot in the near future,” she said.

Additionally, the UNCP Board of Trustees has authorized an offer to purchase land located on University Drive. This and other land parcels surrounding the campus are under consideration.

“We need to buy every piece of land we can around the university,” board chair Gervais Oxendine said in a press release.

“I don’t think plans have been made for this land yet. The university will continue to seek opportunities for land acquisition that might help meet future growth needs,” Tyner said.

The board also approved Boney Architects of Wilmington to create a master plan for UNCP, which would provide a vision of what our campus would look like in another five years with a student enrollment between 6-8,000.

According to Tyner, the mold problem in the Dial Building will have no effect on the progress of construction.

“Separate funding is being sought to make the necessary repairs,” Tyner said.

If all goes as scheduled, all renovations should be complete by June 2006.