I'll be in town on Thursday through the weekend to visit friends. Can't wait!

How are the campus projects coming along?

ICTAS Headquarters and Home to the School of Biomedical and Environmental Sciences (SBES), located on Virginia Tech Campus at the corner of Turner and Stanger Streets.
Occupied March 2009

This new facility will be located on West Campus Drive between the Smith Career Center and Harper Hall. There will be four floors, the first dedicated to Student Programs administrative office space and the top three for residential apartments. The basement will house a resident advisor’s apartment, a Dining Services test kitchen and training room, and a laundry and vending facility for residents. The residential area will feature 133 large double-occupancy rooms with private bathrooms. There will also be three handicap accessible single-occupancy rooms. The building will be climate controlled and reserved for upperclassmen. The rooms will be carpeted, with ceramic tile floors and granite countertops in the bathrooms.

Nice to see some updates to campus. Ambler Johnston was badly in need of some renovations.

Plans for a 1,200 vehicle parking space structure began in late 2007. The parking structure is intended to be aesthetically interesting, functionally efficient, and extremely safe. It is envisioned to be somewhat open allowing light and air flow. Exterior materials will likely include locally quarried "Hokie stone," architectural precast concrete, glass at stairs and elevators, and appropriate landscaping.

This project is to renovate Henderson Hall and includes an 8,479 SF Black Box Theatre. The project also includes interior and partial exterior renovation of 26,930 SF Henderson Hall West wing, with minor improvements to the East wing (12,496 SF). The project will provide academic space for the visual and performing arts programs.


Status
Notice to Proceed issued. Construction underway. Estimated completion Fall, 2009.

Residence rooms will be updated with new lighting, finishes, carpeting, paint, ceilings, vanities, and furnishings. Bathrooms will be renovated, reconfigured and personalized. Elevators will be replaced. Suites and community/gathering spaces will be added. Curtain wall openings will be cut at the stairwells to bring in natural daylight and building entrances will be expanded. Central heating and cooling, electrical, and plumbing systems will be completely replaced. Air conditioning will be available in every room with individual temperature controls. Handicap accessibility will be provided throughout the facility.

The renovated facility will include a total of 1,176 beds in double-occupancy room arrangements. Approximately 162 of those beds will be in suite-style living. Amenity spaces include a fitness center, game room, teaching labs, meeting rooms, lounges, community kitchen, media theater, library, technology center, and day spa. Administrative/support spaces will include offices, storage areas, mail facility, laundry rooms, apartments for professional staff, maintenance shop, and a housekeeping center.