YSU Projects to improve campus

The costliest undertaking is funded through donations.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Bright orange construction barriers, heavy equipment and work crews are scattered about the Youngstown State University campus this summer as part of a multimillion-dollar improvement campaign that's under way.
Chief among the ongoing projects is the $12.1 million recreation center being built on the west side of campus near Fifth Avenue.
The 65,000-square-foot facility is set to open in fall 2005.
Wrapped into the recreation center construction is a project that entails expanding the university bookstore.
Smaller jobs are happening elsewhere, such as the construction at the Maag Library of four new classrooms, faculty offices and work areas for students.
The newly created spaces will be used for introductory communications classes, a requirement for all YSU students.
About 800 students a semester are enrolled in the courses, which have been held in Williamson Hall, home of YSU's business school.
Nearly $1 million is being spent to upgrade the campus' electrical system to ensure a more reliable power supply.
Other sites
At the Beeghly Center, crews will be building new women's basketball offices, renovating the center's roof and replacing lighting.
Nearby Fedor Hall is getting upgraded. Workers are building new classrooms to serve the Youngstown Early College High School, a program that's being jointly tackled by YSU and the city school district. Classes start in mid-August.
Other efforts include swapping worn exterior doors and windows for new ones, replacing concrete, upgrading the heat distribution system, renovating restrooms, painting several buildings and replacing emergency generators.
Funding for the recreation center comes from donations. The other projects are being funded primarily from state capital appropriations and not from the university's operating budget.