The Chapel Hill Public Library will close on Sept. 23 to move to temporary quarters in University Mall. The library will reopen at University Mall in early October.

The Town of Chapel Hill’s library services will be provided at this location during an expansion construction project at the permanent location on Library Drive. The library will reopen at its expanded permanent location in December 2012.

In preparation for the move, the library has stopped accepting book sale donations until it reopens at University Mall. Book donors are asked to hold their used items until October. Donors who can’t wait until October are being urged to consider a one-time donation to another community organization that accepts books.

After Aug. 25, library meeting space will no longer be available to the public until the library reopens in its renovated facility in December 2012.

For more information, call 919-969-2046 and continue to check the library website for updates: chapelhillpubliclibrary.org

Background about the Library Expansion Project:

Chapel Hill residents approved a $16.23 million bond in November 2003 to pay for an expansion of the Town of Chapel Hill’s Public Library. The library is located within Pritchard Park, a 32-acre public park with nature and walking trails. The current 27,000 square foot library was built in 1994 in the northeast section of the park.

Robert A.M. Stern & Architects and local project partner Corley Redfoot Zack Inc. are the design team for the expansion project. In addition to the main collection areas, the building renovation will include a meeting room complex, a youth services library, teen activity room and a computer learning center. A paved trail around the building will provide pedestrian access and an opportunity for public art.

Robert A.M. Stern Architects is known for its creative use of natural and enduring building materials. The Library’s design includes extensive use of exposed glue-laminated wood structural components and wood wall and ceiling panel systems, notably in the large entrance lobby and the main reading room.

In addition to its high quality interior finishes, the building’s masonry exterior includes native stone design elements and sections of standing seam metal roofing. The building will feature integrated meeting room media systems, separately ventilated server rooms, a video security system and backup power generation.

Consistent with the Town Council’s sustainable building policy, the construction is designed to be certified as a LEED silver building, including extensive day-lighting, high-efficiency ventilation systems, and solar hot water and photovoltaic panels.

On the morning of February 2, following an All-School Mass, the Cardinal Gibbons school community, along with over 100 guests, attended the official groundbreaking blessing ceremony for the Building the Vision construction and renovation project. The Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge, Bishop of Raleigh, celebrated the Mass and presided over the blessing ceremony, held at the new construction site on campus.

Fei-Lin Scruggs ’12 gave a reflection during Mass, telling those assembled about the new facilities that are being added to the school as a result of the expansion and renovation project. Scruggs, who is involved in myriad activities at school, including dance, also said that her memories of Cardinal Gibbons are attached to places within the school such as the theater and dance room.

“We have been lucky to be here in this building and it is exciting to think that the future students of Gibbons will have similar experiences as well,” she said. “The new additions will give them the chance to make their own memories in high school.” Read Fei-Lin’s entire reflection.

At the conclusion of the Prayer after Communion, students, faculty and guests processed to the construction site for the blessing ceremony. Under a bright morning sky, Principal Jason D. Curtis welcomed the audience, saying that after much prayer, planning and generosity of time and talent, we gather now to bless this (construction) site.

“This project,” he noted, “will allow for continued growth in our academic  and co-curricular programs, while keeping us mindful of the mission of Cardinal Gibbons High School: to form men and women of faith, service, and leadership in church and community.”

Later in the ceremony, Bishop Burbidge blessed the site, saying: “Today, may we rejoice in the work that will begin. Once complete, may it be a place where students and teachers, imbued with the words of truth, continue to search for the wisdom that guides the Christian life and strive whole-heartedly to be people of faith, service, and leadership.”

After the blessing, Bishop Burbidge, Principal Curtis, Dr. Michael Fedewa, Superintendent of Schools, David Nerz, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Gene Davis ’86, President of the Alumni Council, and Jennifer Betz ’12, Student Council Executive President, all donned hard hats, lifted shovels and broke ground on the school’s $15.5 million project. The Building the Vision expansion and renovation project will equip the school with additional classrooms, athletics and arts facilities and a new entrance, as well as the latest in technology to help educate new generations of students. Completion is expected in August 2013.

Reviewing the morning events Curtis said: “What a wonderful opportunity for our students and faculty to celebrate Building the Vision with so many leaders, friends, and supporters of the school. It was inspiring to see both our school’s past and present come together to give this gift to the future generations of Cardinal Gibbons families.”

Learn more about the Building the Vision construction and renovation project, including FAQs, interactive site plan and press release.

View a live broadcast of the groundbreaking

Video of Mass and groundbreaking

Watch ABC’s coverage of the event

The project, which began immediately after the 2009-10 season ended and was finished in October before the start of the 2010-2011 season, included a major overhaul to the basketball offices. Among the work completed by Corley Redfoot Zack was the addition of 4,000 square feet of space between Koury Natatorium and the Smith Center and the renovation of roughly 13,000 square feet. Andy Cruickshank, a partner at the firm, says the addition and improvements reflect head coach Roy Williams’s vision of Carolina basketball now and in the future.

Read more of this story: http://northcarolina.scout.com/2/1054164.html

Duke Football Indoor Practice Facility Announcement

DURHAM, N.C. – Construction has begun on the new Duke Multi-Purpose Fieldhouse, located at the Brooks Practice Facility just south of Wallace Wade Stadium.

The 80,000-square foot facility features a 120-yard playing surface and is expected to be completed in August of 2011.  The building, designed and constructed by The Beck Group with primary use scheduled for Duke’s football and campus recreation programs, will have a 65-foot ceiling at its peak and also include a filming tower, retractable goalpost and locker room facility for game officials.

The lead gift of $6 million was provided by former Duke All-America running back Bob Pascal.  Pascal lettered three seasons (1953-54-55) on the gridiron at Duke, helping the Blue Devils to a 22-6-3 record including the 1954 ACC championship and 34-7 win over Nebraska in the Orange Bowl.  A two-time All-ACC pick, the Bloomfield, N.J., native was a first team All-America selection in 1955 after rushing for 750 yards and eight touchdowns.  He finished his career with 1,523 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns, and was third round choice of the Baltimore Colts in the 1956 NFL Draft.

Watco is proud to have been chosen as the HVAC/Mechanical Contractor for the Nature Research portion of this fantastic project!!!

An exciting new development is on the way in Downtown Raleigh that will greatly enhance the already outstanding “museum corridor.” The North Carolina Nature Research Center has been underway for the last several months and promises to offer one of the most unique interactions with science on the east coast.

An extension of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, the Nature Research Center will give visitors a first-person look into the actual science taking place within the museum, reminding us that it’s not just about realistic displays encased in glass. It’s about real science.

The expansion is 80,000 square feet and is expected to open in early 2012. It’s exterior will showcase a giant, street-side globe that will house a multi-media presentation theatre able to broadcast actual exhibits and events to schools around the state.

Additionally, the Nature Research Center is part of Raleigh’s “Green Square,” a collection of highly energy-efficient state owned museum property that will also include a parking deck and new, 149,000 square foot building for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Want to watch the progress on the construction? Check out the Web cam.

These are certainly some exciting developments for the city’s urban center. Raleigh has undergone a number of massive re-development efforts in the last few years in an effort to draw more residents and businesses. So far, it all seems to be going according to plan.

Raleigh, NC

Project Statistics:

Project Type:
Commercial
Historic

Duration: 300 days

Budget: $3,000,000

Square Footage: 21,064

Project Team

Owner: Contemporary Art Foundation

Architect: Clearscapes Architecture

General: C.T. Wilson Construction Co.

Plumbing Contractor:Smithco Plumbing

HVAC Contractor: WATCO Corporation

Electrical Contractor: Trident Electrical

Description:

The work includes the renovation of a historic building listed on the National Register of Historic Places as contributing structure in the Depot National Historic District with a small entry addition and site development. The existing three level building contains approximately 20,000 sf. The existing building is a concrete and steel structure with solid brick masonry bearing walls. Existing plumbing, mechanical and electrical systems will be replaced with new plumbing, mechanical, electrical and fire safety systems.