Carver construction: What to expect for the week of Jan. 24

Construction continues on the Carver Academic Facility construction project on Western Washington University's Bellingham campus.

The project includes replacement of the building center section with a three-story addition and wrapping the east and south sides with new structure and glass windows and other exterior openings. The project will address urgently needed seismic reinforcement throughout the facility, replace numerous aging building systems, provide improved disabled access to classrooms, labs and offices, and allow for much better use of academic spaces.

Live video feeds of the construction project are available on the project website from the WWU Office of Facilities Development and Capital Budget.

Here's what to expect for the week of Jan. 24:

  • Continue demolition.
  • Continue abatement in the ceilings of gymnasiums A, B and C.
  • Continue core drilling of piles in the original Carver Gym building, built in 1935.
  • Continue underground plumbing work.
  • Continue underground electrical work.
  • Continue demolition of the concrete slab in the 1935 building.
  • Continue excavation for building foundation.

What to expect the week of Jan. 31:

  • Continue core drilling of piles in the 1935 building.
  • Continue demolition of the concrete slab in the 1935 building.
  • Begin demolition of duct/pipe crawl in the 1935 building.
  • Continue underground plumbing work.
  • Continue underground electrical work.
  • Continue excavation for building foundation.

Based on geotechnical reports, there's a likelihood of encountering rock when excavating for plumbing systems the end of January and beginning of February. The work will take place on the north end of the construction site, near Bond Hall, and will continue for several weeks. A large excavator and concrete breaker will create very loud, deep rumbling noise and vibrations. Campus will be notified as soon as the need for this work is confirmed.

For more information, contact Dale Krause, construction coordinator, at 360-650-4646 or dale.krause@wwu.edu.

A rendering of the front of the Carver Academic Facility as it's expected to look when completed. Courtesy of LMN Architects