Construction and Renovation Updates

The Betty and Norman Levan Hall

Levan Hall, the new home of the St. John’s College Graduate Institute is complete and GI staff have moved in and are working hard while unpacking and settling in!  Several tutors have begun moving into their offices on the lower level of Levan, as well. 

There are just a few finishing touches taking place inside: tweaking the HVAC controls, a few faucet and motion sensor adjustments, and a little touch-up painting here and there.

Outside the building, the ADA railings for the ramp have yet to be installed, which is why that area is still blocked off.  The railings are expected to be installed and complete by the end of September.

The green matter that has been sprayed around Levan and Weigle is hydro-seeding and includes a mixture of nine native perennial grass and flower seeds.  The green color will fade over the next few months, depending on rain and watering. 

Speaking of green, Levan Hall was planned as a LEED Silver Certified building.  However, it is likely it will reach a Gold level certification!  The official certification will take several months. 

The Sarcon trailer on the Meem Library Placita will depart the week of August 30. 

Below are current pictures of the building, and we believe this is our last Levan update!

Levan Hall floor plans (Adobe PDF documents):

Lower level
Main level
Top floor

New Residential Center

Plans are still in the works to begin a new residential dorm area across from the current lower dorm area in June 2011.  However, in order to develop the structural design for the project, work known as “Geotechnical Engineering” began Monday July 12, 2010. This work has involved drilling test borings in the soil at the site of each building, so some trees were removed and access paths created across from the lower dorm area.  So far, the drilling has found solid granite, as well as water, both of which can be worked with. 

For this project, the college will need to provide an additional emergency access road, so holes will be drilled in the arroyo near the northeast edge of campus, downhill from the apartments.  This took place the morning of July 14.

Irrigation Work

Near the entrance to campus, new irrigation pipes are being installed to service the plantings along the road and sidewalk leading to the SAC driveway.  This project should be complete around July 21, with native plants being planted during the last week of July.  Note: a new automatic watering system is in use on the soccer field, and is working well.

Photos of Summer 2006 Hardscape Renovation and Fishpond Repair:

Fishpond Placita Facing the Bookstore	Upper Placita Outside ESL	Placitas and Pond with Working Waterfall

Click here for past construction updates

This page updated August 30, 2010.