The Triangle

Issue date: 5/15/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Mike Arrison

Three construction projects will be completed by the start of fall 2009, according to James Katsaounis, executive director of communications for the Division of Student Life and Administrative Services.

Katsaounis said Millennium Hall, which began construction in April 2008, is "on schedule" to be completed by August 2009, with students moving in the following month.

Construction on Northside Dining Terrace will begin May 19, after a ceremonial groundbreaking the same night. Its projected completion and opening date is September 2009.

Construction of the Taco Bell Express in Hagerty Library will begin June 15, so as not to disrupt exams or commencement, according to Katsaounis. The projected completion is in mid-August, and the Taco Bell will open to students in September.

Katsaounis said the Recreation Center addition to the John A. Daskalakis Athletic Center is also on schedule for its projected completion date.

"The $41.6 million project is on schedule for a soft-opening at the end of December and open for full recreational use in late January 2010," Katsaounis said.

Spring term 2010 will see the completion of the Landmark Americana restaurant to the lower level of the Recreation Center, he said.

However, the Integrated Sciences Building is being projected for completion in spring 2011, six months later than the initial projection.

"This delay is due to the University taking advantage of the competitive construction market which is in the best financial interest of the University," Katsaounis said.

Gilbane Construction was awarded the construction package for the foundation work, which will take two months to complete, Katsaounis added. On May 13, Drexel issued a request for qualifications for contractors to construct the building, and construction bids will go out June 10. Site work for the $69 million project began in November 2008.

At a University Assembly April 21, interim president C.R. "Chuck" Pennoni said the new science building was one of the naming opportunities being discussed by the Board of Trustees to honor the late Drexel president, Constantine Papadakis.

"The University's senior administrators and the Board of Trustees … will be making a decision in the coming months on the most appropriate way to honor Dr. Constantine Papadakis who was a truly a revolutionary leader for Drexel," Katsaounis said.

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