Construction on Carrollton Hall has fallen behind schedule by more than two months, according to Paul Fleming, Physical Plant director.
The completion of construction on the seventh floor, originally slated for late October, has now been adjusted to mid-January. The original plan was to complete construction on Carrollton Hall in 14 months. Construction began in August.
“The necessary repairs are fairly expensive and have been somewhat more time-consuming than originally expected,” Fleming said.
In addition to the unexpected extent of the building’s damages, Fleming said, weather has also caused delays. The threat of Hurricane Ivan in September shut construction down for several days.
Robert Reed, director of Residential Life, explained that the delays are necessary, but nonetheless cause problems with relocating students.
“By now, we would be moving people from [floor] six to seven,” Reed said. “My projection is that we will not get to the fifth floor until sometime in February or March. This time the building will be fixed and fixed correctly.”
Both Fleming and Reed said they were concerned about the inconveniences the construction has on the campus, especially to residents.
Fleming said Physical Plant and Residential Life were doing everything to have the least possible disruption to the residents.
According to Fleming, as of Nov. 2, the Physical Plant had received no direct complaints regarding the construction.
However, some students, especially on the 6th floor are concerned about the noise level and the nuisances it causes.
Although Natasha Irving, philosophy senior, said the noise level doesn’t disturb her, she is rarely in her suite from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Suitemates Laura Mulholland and Caitlin Wiater, music education juniors, said they were frustrated with the living conditions. According to Mulholland, she spent her entire summer working hard to be able to pay to live in the Carrollton apartments.
“You know they knew about it beforehand. And we signed our contracts. We didn’t have a choice,” Mulholland said. “We pay for a quality of life, and we’re not getting it. You feel like any minute there is going to be a drill bit coming through your ceiling.”
Wiater said the noise was just added more anxiety to her already stressful life.
“It’s not like we don’t have enough stress with school work,” she said.
According to Pam Tatum, communications junior, Residential Life told students the construction was not going to affect the student’s quality of life but has.
“One morning I woke up, and men outside my window were arguing,” Tatum said. “I couldn’t study for a test in here, and I never go to the library, so I ended up studying in my car.”
Tatum also said many students were having migraines due to the constant noise.
The construction on the former New Residence Hall is the result of defects in the original design of the building, according to a lawsuit Loyola filed against the architect and construction firm.
The university’s suit said the structure of the building allowed moisture to seep into the walls, leading to the growth of mold and mildew.
Named in the lawsuit are MAPP Construction, Inc., Travelers Property and Causality Insurance, Eskew + A Professional Corporation, and Einhorn Yaffes Prescott Architecture and Engineering, P.C.
The university is seeking most of the costs of the construction.
Although relocated residents of Carrollton Hall have not been permitted to break from their residence contracts without penalty charges, Reed said they have been billed accordingly.
He explained that although there were problems at first, all students who have been relocated are now being charged appropriately for the type of room they are occupying.
Adam Hennessey can be reached at [email protected].
