The University Record, September 27, 1999 By Wono Lee
News and Information Services
Renovation projects for Burton Tower and the Student Publications Building were approved by the Regents at their September meeting.
Work on Burton Memorial Tower will focus on fire safety issues, according to Robert Kasdin, executive vice president and chief financial officer. “In addition, we will restore the exterior windows, improve circulation/exiting by adding an exterior door, and improve the finishes throughout the building.” The project is estimated to cost $1.8 million.
The Student Publications Building originally was designed as the headquarters for compiling and printing three student publications—the Michigan Daily newspaper, the Michigan Ensian yearbook, and the humor magazine Gargoyle.
“During the last 67 years, small portions of the building have been remodeled, but use of the building has never been systematically evaluated even though technology has had a significant impact on production methods,” Kasdin explained. “One of the purposes of this project is to review present and anticipated use patterns and to improve the effectiveness of building utilization.” Finegold Alexander + Associates Inc. of Boston will develop a program and preliminary cost estimate for the project.
The Radiogenic Isotope Geochemistry Laboratory (RIGL) in the C.C. Little Building will be renovated. Research will be conducted in room 4006 as well as in the original trace metals analysis RIGL complex, rooms 4012, 4016, and suite 4020, requiring a two-phase remodeling project. Phase I will divide room 4006 into two laboratories. Phase II will completely renew the original RIGL trace metal analysis facility, which has suffered deterioration over its 11 years of service. Phase I is estimated to cost $750,000.
