From Jim Prince, Vice President of Operations
March 24, 2008
Ever since the fall 2007 completion of new State Road 18, we have been patiently waiting for the final transfer of old Route 18 over to the College. During this time of waiting the College has been working very hard to prepare for the start of construction. I am happy to announce that construction could begin on the Stadium as early as this week. This update highlights our current progress, as well as the estimated timeline for completion of construction.
PennDOT has completed the legal process of transferring old State Road 18 over to the City of Beaver Falls. On March 18 the City completed the final of two “public readings”, and passed an ordinance transferring ownership of old 18, 29th, 30th, 31st and 32nd streets to the College. All that remains to make the ordinance official is a 30-day public appeal period. While this waiting period is required, we have been assured that there is no reason to be concerned that this will deter the final deeding of property to the College. The City of Beaver Falls is fully supportive of the Beyond the Bend project, and realizes the importance that old 18 and the connecting streets will play in improving our community.
The College recognizes the need to begin construction on the Stadium as soon as possible in order to meet the fall football season schedule. Now that we know that within 30 days the College will officially own the streets, Geneva has petitioned the City and has been granted permission to close down old 18 from the south entrance up to 31st street. It is anticipated that tomorrow (March 25, 2008) Jendoco Construction, general contractor engaged to complete the Stadium project, will shut down old 18 at the south entrance, and begin staging of equipment along the road. This will be followed by demolition of the press box, main wall and installation of the home bleachers. The demolition work and bleacher installation will require several weeks of work, positioning the College for the start of construction on the new wall and press box upon the conclusion of the 30-day appeal period. We anticipate that construction on the Stadium will be complete by early August.
Planning for the Pedestrian Mall project continues at a fast pace, with the College working closely with PennDOT to assure compliance regarding design and codes issues. (PennDOT is overseeing this project due to the College receiving federal highway funds.)
Once the 30-day appeal process has ended with the City, PennDOT will grant official permission for the College to advertise bids for a general contractor for the Pedestrian Mall project. The advertising and bidding process will take approximately two months, resulting in an estimated construction start date of July. It is estimated that it will take approximately six months to complete the Pedestrian Mall project.
The College continues to develop plans for the sequencing of the various projects that will be accomplished this year. The three major projects (Stadium, Pedestrian Mall, Alumni Hall parking lot) will require close coordination between contractors so that we complete Beyond the Bend in a timely way. It is our intent to assure that students have access to the newly created parking lot and to freshman lot by the start of school.
We give thanks to God for His leading hand in this project. Not only has He blessed us through the provision of continuing gifts for the project, but likewise in helping us to move the project forward in a timely fashion.
Please keep our Development Team in your prayers as they continue their strong efforts to raise the final resources needed for the project, as well as the Design & Construction Team as we prepare for the start of the final phase of Beyond the Bend.
We are excited to see what God will do as a result of this important project!
This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.
– Psalms 118:24
