Evan LaBranche has spent a lot of time in Monroe Hall during her four years at Loyola. Because she frequents the building regularly, LaBranche, psychology and pre-med senior, is now encountering the hassles that come with Monroe Hall construction.
“Students pay good money to come to school here and they have to deal with loud noises while they’re trying to take tests, and everything’s blocked off; it’s just a huge inconvenience,” LaBranche said.
While Monroe Hall has been under construction since late 2011, “Construction at Monroe Hall is in full swing,” Tommy Raymond, director of construction and safety, said in an email.
Before Christmas break, the fourth and fifth floors of Monroe Hall were relocated to the trailers located in the Mercy Hall parking lot or other areas of campus.
Over the break, “demolition of the fourth and fifth floors was started, and is virtually complete,” Raymond said.
The Academic Resource Center, known for helping students with test taking and tutoring, was one of the departments relocated.
“My job is helping to move the ARC to their new location, but I don’t even know if students are going to know where we are located, and there wont be as much space for tutoring, putting the students at a disadvantage,” LaBranche said.
Political science, physics and sociology departments have all been moved to the trailers in the Mercy Hall parking lot.
Before the relocation of the departments, there were “water leaks, and the construction was happening right on top of us,” Wendy Porche, administrative assistant for the Department of Political Science, said.
Porche said the move to the Mercy Hall parking lot resulted in different working conditions.
“All of the issues that we had are now fixed. And, parking is closer,” Porche said.
The first phase of construction on Monroe Hall should be completed by December 2013, and the entire project of Monroe Hall should be completed by July 2015.
Under construction since summer 2012, Cabra Hall is scheduled for completion by fall 2013.
Regarding Cabra Hall construction, Director of construction and safety Tommy Raymond said, “the job is on schedule and progressing well.”
The Cabra Hall renovations include a completely new interior and exterior, new electrical system, new air conditioning and heating, new kitchens and baths, new flooring and walls and the addition of energy efficient windows, Raymond said.
“It’s great what they’re doing with Cabra and it’s nice that they’re doing it in a short and concise time,” LaBranche said.
Director of Residential Life Craig Beebe said, “Cabra Hall will be an even more impressive renovation because it has involved the complete re-creation of the building from the studs out.”
While some construction was delayed due to unpredictable weather, such as Hurricane Isaac, all of the progress regarding Buddig Hall is on schedule. Phase I should be completed by August 2013.
Taylor Denson can be reached at [email protected]
