After a few weeks of low-profile, behind-the-scenes work, construction is about to kick into high gear!
If you’ve been anywhere near the project lately, you may have noticed that we’re installing a fire wall on the north side of the building, which is intended to protect the current building from potentially dangerous construction activities, such as sparks from a welding torch. You’ve probably already noticed a section in the C-Store and along the food court wall. All of the windows will be covered, and we’ll reroute some of our emergency exits over the next month or so.
The second order of business will be to excavate the site so that we can put in some underpinning and pour the footings. If you were ever into Tonka trucks and sandboxes as a child, you are going to love this part of the project. We’ll be doing this through late fall, then start the steel construction part of the project.
Now is the time to start checking out our webcam – go.ncsu.edu/talleywebcam – because the landscape will begin to change quickly.
But let’s get back to now. Mid-February marks the beginning of our “excavation/underpinning/ footings” part of the project, and it’s going to get noisy. You can expect this noise to continue through the semester.
In addition to the increased noise levels, you can expect the following impacts:
- Minor pedestrian detours as access to the North Side of Talley will be completely closed off.
- A different emergency exit path from Talley will be created along the north and east sides.
- The fire wall will continue to make its way up the building.
- We’ll start tearing away some of the exterior features from the north side of the building.
- More importantly, you will likely see an increase in construction traffic, similar to the summer and early fall. At times there will be crews setting up and taking down scaffolding close to the building and entrances. Our general contractor takes safety very seriously, but we need your help. Things around an active construction site can change from one day to the next. We ask that you be alert as you walk around the site and follow posted signs.
Throughout this semester, Talley is still open for business. You can still get food, hold meetings, catch a show in Stewart Theatre or enjoy some study spaces. So stop on by, take in the progress, see the model in the lobby and have a great semester. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us!
Phase I Features
Phase I includes everything north of the building toward the railroad track. It will include:
A new subterranean loading dock and massive underground kitchen.
- The Pavilions Food Court (featuring four dining venues and a social/gaming lounge)
- World Market Restaurant and porch
- A new ballroom and meeting spaces
- Offices
- Student Government assembly space
- Landing for the proposed bridge to Broughton (not included in the project)
Construction Schedule
Deep Foundations/Underpinning/Footings
Start spring 2012, complete early fall 2012
This phase will be marked by mass excavation, underpinning the building and pouring footings. As soon as the basement excavation has progressed to allow deep foundation work to commence, drill rigs will be mobilized to install auger cast foundation piles. Approximately 550 holes 16- 24 inches in diameter will be drilled on average 60’ deep and filled with concrete to support the new building addition. Footings will be formed on top of these piles to provide a surface to anchor structural steel forming the “skeleton” of the new additions.
Structural Steel
Start early fall 2012, complete late 2012
Approximately 1200 tons of structural steel will be used to create a framework for the new addition.
Concrete Slabs
Start fall 2012, complete late 2012
Concrete slabs will be poured to provide a foundation for the building’s floor.
Utility Service Installation
Start late 2012, complete fall 2013
As soon as slabs are placed, mechanical/electrical/plumbing work will commence along with building interiors, and continue until phase I is completed in fall 2013.
Exterior Facades
Start late 2012, complete summer 2013
We will install the exterior walls and features, which include glass, brick, terra cotta, and metal panels.
Building Interiors
Start early2013, complete fall 2013
This will include the installation of drywall, finish ceilings, paint and flooring, along with the interior construction. The finishes are available for view at Talley Student Center. Just ask the front desk staff.
Stay Current on the Project
We will begin to post weekly construction updates in the news section of go.ncsu.edu/newtalley and tweet/post regularly about the impacts via ncsu_talley and facebook: talley student center at North Carolina State University. You can also sign up for our listserv: newtalley@lists.ncsu.edu.
You can always view the construction activity at go.ncsu.edu/talleywebcam