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Post by okinawatyphoon on Apr 2, 2009 5:09:04 GMT -5
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Post by agibson on Apr 2, 2009 7:03:35 GMT -5
I can't quite tell - is that on the front of the current building, the side facing chapel drive?
Or is it on the back?
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Post by okinawatyphoon on Apr 2, 2009 7:12:52 GMT -5
That's the back, along the loop road. It would be facing the Broadway Cafe on US 30. Directly to the West (or the left, below the Chapel) is Meier Hall, if that helps. Same thing in the top picture -- the building in the northwest corner is Meier Hall.
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Post by agibson on Apr 2, 2009 7:23:43 GMT -5
Huh. The article quotes the planning director, "The entrance will be the focal point of the building and that area of the campus."
What's "that area of the campus"? The VU observatory?
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Post by okinawatyphoon on Apr 2, 2009 7:37:52 GMT -5
Huh. The article quotes the planning director, "The entrance will be the focal point of the building and that area of the campus." What's "that area of the campus"? The VU observatory? They're probably referring to the area between the main entrance and the entrance from Sturdy road, which includes Kretzmann and Meier. Either way, it will dramatically improve the area because right now you just have the back of Gellersen facing the street and US 30. |
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Post by 78crusader on Apr 2, 2009 7:59:36 GMT -5
As I read the VU website (go to "Give to VU" on the main page, then click on Gellersen Center Addition), there are at least two phases to this project. The first appears to involve the south side of Gellersen and, as the paper mentioned, is a 13,500 sq foot addition and new entrance. The second is an addition of another 20,000+ sq feet and includes a new north entrance.
I think I'm reading this right. Anyway, it's going to be a nice-- and needed--addition to the VU campus. Look for it to start around this time next year.
Paul
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Post by agibson on Apr 2, 2009 8:19:51 GMT -5
I suppose it'll have some visual impact from the east campus entrance. And perhaps from Sturdy. And, from the parking lots of course (maybe those parking lots are used more these days?).
I'm just surprised that they're making a big deal out of the facade on, at least as it feels to me, the back end of Gellersen.
It does look nice - I wish them well.
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Post by okinawatyphoon on Apr 2, 2009 8:29:00 GMT -5
Those parking lots are used extensively now, I can assure you of that. It will actually get as much, if not more passenger traffic than the main entrance, I believe. VU is wise to put a nice entrance on this side of Gellersen.
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Post by okinawatyphoon on Aug 17, 2009 7:07:54 GMT -5
I've heard from several sources that this project is supposed to start in the spring. At least $7 million has been raised for this project, and the total cost is around $8 million.
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Post by okinawatyphoon on Feb 18, 2010 18:55:32 GMT -5
Now named the "Donald V. Fites Engineering Innovation Center," the expansion will begin next month and now costs $13 million as opposed to the $8 million that was originally stated. Donald Fites was the CEO of Caterpillar for many years, and "provided a lead gift for the project." Valpo press release: www.valpo.edu/news/news.php?releaseId=4340 |
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Post by 78crusader on Feb 21, 2010 20:19:58 GMT -5
Okinawa,
The Gellersen project will be impressive. The fact that VU will now have two construction projects underway at the same time (Gellersen and Heritage) is likewise impressive for a school our size.
What have you heard about what the next construction project will be? I'm guessing the Education/English/History building, followed next by Neils. Your thoughts?
Paul
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Post by vuweathernerd on Feb 22, 2010 0:52:59 GMT -5
as far as i've heard, there are no immediate plans to do anything to mueller (cc/history/english), but miller (education building) would be a good guess.
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Post by okinawatyphoon on Feb 22, 2010 3:53:47 GMT -5
I've heard that residence halls might be the next focus for improvement, but it is of course dependent on donors and alumni.
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Post by braveone on Feb 22, 2010 13:12:33 GMT -5
As a recently graduated English and Secondary Ed major, I have heard many professors in those two areas discuss this issue. 4.5 years ago when I started at Valpo professors in these two areas were promised a state of the art facility within the next 4 years to be located somewhere near the softball field. Most assumed this meant using some or all of the parking lot near the softball field.
Obviously, they were lied to by university administration as nothing remotely close to this has been considered and there were some that were and are quite fed up with the administration on this issue. At least two professors I have spoken to have seriously considered retirement because of frustration with facilities and such.
It's a shame that Valpo has ignored one of it's biggest majors (education) for so long.
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Post by vu72 on Feb 22, 2010 14:41:24 GMT -5
As a recently graduated English and Secondary Ed major, I have heard many professors in those two areas discuss this issue. 4.5 years ago when I started at Valpo professors in these two areas were promised a state of the art facility within the next 4 years to be located somewhere near the softball field. Most assumed this meant using some or all of the parking lot near the softball field. Obviously, they were lied to by university administration as nothing remotely close to this has been considered and there were some that were and are quite fed up with the administration on this issue. At least two professors I have spoken to have seriously considered retirement because of frustration with facilities and such. It's a shame that Valpo has ignored one of it's biggest majors (education) for so long. I think what you are referring to is tearing down Huegli which is obviously located close to the softball field. From what I've heard tearing down Huegli is certainly in the plans as it is just to outdated and beyond salvaging or remodeling. I suspect that is the location for the new education/history/arts and sciences building. I have no idea what was promised to professors but with the change in administration comes changes in direction. Couple that with just finishing raising $238 million from donors and the current worst recession since the 80's and you pretty much have most thinhgs on hold. The law addition and engineering additions were funded by donors whose contributions were targeted just at those projects. It is the same problem getting the track finished has run into. No one is interested in being a major donor. The education building seems like a very worthy cause and, as you pointed out, is one of the larger major fields. It is all about timing. |
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