Campus construction projects continue

Construction projects around the campus of A&M-Commerce, including the new Music Building, construction of a new residence hall and upgrades to the pedestrian walking mall, continue as classes begin for the Fall 2010 semester.

The new Music Building is open and hosting classes to begin the semester, with only a few projects remaining to be completed.

"[Students and teachers] are occupying most of the building," Facilities Project Manager Jim Patton said. "No activities are being conducted at the old building."

The music building is more than simply a concert and practice space for music students, according to the Music Department Head Dr. Chris White. White said it reflects a sense of professionalism that the previous building lacked.

"[Monday, Aug. 30] was the first day of classes and the faculty and student responses have been delightful," White said. "I had one student tell me that it was like Extreme Makeover: Music Department."

According to Patton, the only remaining work left in the site is the completion of the concert and recital halls, which he estimated would be complete by the second week in October.

"The site should be fully operational by the beginning of November," he said.

While the concert and recital halls aren't finished, the building fully functions as a practice and educational space for the music department.

"We finally have a building worthy of our students," he said. "It gives you a sense of wonderment and delight that is unique to good architecture."

The music building, which cost in excess of $29.5 million, will officially be dedicated on Feb. 4, 2011.

The construction of a new 258-bed residence hall began with the demolition of several of the West Halls, which was completed over the summer.

The un-named hall, a three-story building expected to be used to house incoming freshmen, is due to be completed by the beginning of the Fall 2011 semester.

"[A&M Commerce President] Dr. Jones made the decision to make A&M-Commerce a more residential campus," Interim Director of Residential Living and Learning Dennis Koch said. "He wants us to be up to 3,000 students in the near future because he believes that students have a better college experience if they live on campus."

According to Koch, the living units in the new hall, which he referred to as "semi-suites," will house two students each, with individual bedrooms and bathrooms, and a shared living room and dining area.

According to Patton, work on the underground utilities of the new residence hall, which will be the first step of construction, is set to begin next week.. A preliminary reshaping of the site to prepare to lay the foundation for the new building will follow, with construction of the building set to begin in October. The hall is estimated to be completed next June.

According to Koch, a second residence hall is in the planning stages, and he hopes to have the location decided by January.

The walking mall surrounding the Sam Rayburn Student Center was also completed over the summer, and an upgrade to the sidewalks around the Hall of Languages and Journalism Building are scheduled to be completed later this week. A final section of the walking mall, connecting the new Music Building to the McDowell Business Administration Building, is expected to be completed by the end of September, according to Patton.

Additional information gathered by Caleb Slinkard