Outside contractors will complete 27 construction and maintenance projects proposed for NIU this summer, and the NIU Physical Plant will complete several others.

One major project is the construction of a steamline tunnel between the west heating plant and Grant Towers, said Conrad Miller, acting director of the physical plant. The project will not be completed until next fall, so students might see construction vehicles and closed roads when they return, he said.

The tunnel is being constructed around underground steam pipes used to heat the towers. Miller said these pipes are difficult to maintain now because leaks are difficult to locate and require excavation to repair. The steam pipes will be surrounded by a tunnel large enough for maintenance crews to walk through.

The tunnel project will be performed by outside contrators. Miller said the project was overbid but will be rebid Aug. 30. He said he expects the new bid to be between $800,000 to $900,000.

Ten roofing projects are planned at a cost of over $1 million, Miller said. Two critical roof replacements are those over Gabel Hall’s swimming pool and Davis Hall. Miller said Davis Hall houses scientific equipment which might be damaged if the roof leaks.

Several projects involve remodeling and construction at the residence halls. The columns supporting Grant Towers will be repaired as soon as students leave for summer break and are expected to be completed Aug. 1 at a cost of $500,000, Miller said.

The dining rooms of Lincoln and Douglas halls will be remodeled when students leave and are expected to be completed Aug. 21, Miller said. Douglas’ remodeling will cost $175,000 and Lincoln’s will cost $100,000, he said.

Stevenson and Grant cafeterias will be dehumidified this summer at a cost of $60,000 because the excess humidity was causing damage to plaster walls, ceilings and joints, Miller said.

Douglas’ A and B lower lounges might be converted into a computer lab if it is approved by the Board of Regents at its April meeting. If approved, this project would cost about $90,000 and would be done by physical plant employees—not outside contractors, Miller said.

Contractors will build a “greenhouse-type facility” near Montgomery Hall for the biology department, Miller said. The facility might cost about $280,000 and will be divided into sections in which the temperature can be controlled. Miller said he hopes the project will be completed in October.

Another project planned for summer is a renovation of Altgeld Hall so it will comply to the fire code. Miller said alert systems are needed in sections of the building so a fire can be detected where it starts.

The scoreboard at Huskie Stadium also will be replaced this summer, Miller said. The scoreboard is 22 years old and has been “nursed through the last couple of games,” he said. The components in the scoreboard are obsolete and cannot be replaced, he said.

The projects are being funded through state grants to NIU and bond revenues supplied through room and board payments at the residence halls, Miller said.

Other projects to be worked on this summer include a wooden gymnastics pit, a Music Building Concert Hall acoustical shell, Still Hall and Gym renovation and redesigning of the light system for Huskie Stadium, Miller said.

As well as these construction projects, Miller said the physical plant will conduct maintenance of the residence halls. Miller said the residence hall repair list is the first priority of the physical plant.