MOUNT VERNON — Officials from Central Ohio Technical College revealed what Ariel Hall may look like after its renovation is complete.
“The project represents a significant transformation of Ariel Hall,” said Andrew Maletz, vice president of architecture with SHP, who is working with COTC. “It will be a complete renovation on the inside ... it’s an opportunity to take the existing asset, the building itself, and bring it forward.
“The western side of the building,” he continued, “fits in with the downtown — we’ll preserve that. But it will be a pretty distinct difference on the south side of the building.”
The plan is to take design elements of the western side, such as windows and arch openings, and incorporate them into the south side and on around to the east side of the building. The main entry will still be on Main Street.
“We’ll match the existing brick as closely as we can,” said Maletz. “We think it will be a really exciting revitalization of the entire building.”
Interior renovation will include six additional classrooms in the basement, and a concourse from the west to east side of the building on the first floor with offices, a library, a meeting room and conference space along the concourse. The second floor will include new classrooms of differing sizes, as well as science and nursing labs. The total cost is a little over $5.3 million.
“This project is hugely important to the college and the community,” Brian Boehmer, assistant director of facilities at COTC, told council members, adding that the project is in the design development and construction document phase now. “We expect the final plans to be approved in July.”
Boehmer said bids will be solicited in August and construction contracts awarded in October.
“Beginning in November through August 2011 is the construction phase,” said Boehmer. “That will allow us to move in in time for fall classes in September.”
Boehmer said the renovation will include 52 different types of spaces, with the building being energy efficient and sustainable.
While the renovation is under way, COTC will move its Knox Campus to Fredericktown.
“That allows us to keep our administration under one roof, and lets you know we will be back to Mount Vernon,” Joel Daniels, vice president for extended campuses and new business development at COTC, said of the temporary relocation.
Of the $5.3 million cost, $3.1 is construction cost; there will be $352,354 in fees and permits, and $311,543 in fixtures,furniture and equipment. Some of the cost, such as the $850,000 for buying the building itself, has already been incurred.
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