Ward Beecher to get facelift


Capital request details 10 projects at $15.2M

By Denise Dick

denise_dick@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

Renovations to Ward Beecher Hall top Youngstown State University’s priority list in its 2017-18 capital request.

The request, submitted to the Ohio Department of Higher Education, lists 10 projects totaling $15.2 million. The Legislature must approve a final budget document, and it requires the governor’s signature.

Officials said early indications are that YSU will get about $11 million for the projects. That would fund the first four projects on YSU’s list and a portion of the fifth.

John Hyden, YSU’s executive director of facilities, said the university has received about $11 million in each of the last few state budgets.

The Ward Beecher renovation, at $2.5 million, is YSU’s first priority in its request, said Rich White, director of planning and construction.

“Ward Beecher needs a lot of work,” White said. “It sees heavy daily use and wear and tear.”

The project includes flooring replacement, electrical and lighting upgrades, heating and air-conditioning modifications and overall improvement to its interior finishes.

A few years ago, YSU completed similar projects at DeBartolo and Cushwa halls, which hadn’t seen improvement in many years. The work planned for Ward Beecher would be similar.

“When you bring people on campus, you want to put your best foot forward,” White said.

Upgrading the Jones Hall Student Success Facility is second on the priority list. Its price tag is $2 million.

The information submitted to the state calls Jones Hall YSU’s “most iconic building.”

The hall houses the Division of Student Success, which includes career development, counseling services and the Center for Student Progress.

It’s been several years since Jones Hall saw an upgrade.

“This project will include exterior renovations that will address water infiltration from the roof, soffits and downspouts as well as interior renovations that will include new interior finishes,” the document said.

Submitted at $3.75 million, academic-area renovations and upgrades have the highest price tag of the projects.

“Due to the heavy use of these academic and instructional spaces over several years and with changes in teaching methods, several upgrades and renovations are necessary to provide a more-functional and contemporary learning environment for faculty and students that will also offer comparable academic and instructional lab spaces to other universities,” the paperwork submitted to the state said.

That project includes renovating and upgrading academic areas in several campus buildings.

At $2 million, renovating Meshel Hall is next on the list, followed by campus development.

“Constructed in the 1980s, Meshel Hall is home to our computer science programs and our computer center,” the submitted information said. “This building sees heavy use and has not seen a general, buildingwide renovation in several years. Because of the heavy use of the building, several areas including flooring, wall finishes, ceilings, lighting and HVAC need to be addressed to bring the building to a minimum standard.”

The campus development project, which includes improvement and development of the campus core, was requested at $1.25 million. With the funding expected, about $750,000 in work would be done.

By using this site, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of use.

» Accept
» Learn More