Renovations: A Continuing Story

The renovations of the North and South Towers residence halls, which have been slated
for remodeling for some time now, may be delayed just a bit longer. Due to the passing of a bill
that changes prevailing wage in the state of West Virginia, the university could potentially save a
lot of money on the renovations by waiting just a couple of months.
 “For the first time in 80 years, we have a legislature dominated by another party and they
had a look at things like prevailing wage. Prevailing wage simply means that the state expects
you to, in many cases, pay your employees more than you typically have to pay them,” said Rick
Dillon, Vice President of Administration and Associate Dean of Students at Concord University.
 Dillon explains that the benefits of waiting to start the project greatly outweigh the
inconvenience. “The project would have absolutely started in mid-May if not for prevailing
wage. If you could save 25% because they repealed prevailing wage, you’re talking 1.2 or 1.8
million dollars. You can do things with that. It’s worth the risk of putting off a few months,” he
said.
 Although the bill was passed in both the state House and Senate, Senate Bill 361will now
be taken back to the Senate for approval of changes made by the House. This leaves many, like
those overseeing of the renovations at Concord, wondering when the changes in prevailing wage
are going to start.
 “Once you enter in to a scenario where you have the loans, there is an end game to those.
In other words, the people that have loaned you money expect you to be done with the project by
some kind of date. […]So you can’t just sit there and say you’re never going to build it. So the
question now is not when it’s going to happen but when it’s going to start,” Dillon said.
 The money that may be saved by this change in schedule could be used for a number of
possibilities. “Wilson needs new bathrooms, and air conditioning. We really didn’t do anything
outside of the rooms in towers. We could probably put more upgraded IT stuff in there if we had
more money. But I would really like to focus on upgrading a building or two in some areas,” said
Dillon.
 “I think that the thing that students will notice at the end of the day immediately is, it will
look entirely different,” said Dillon. However, the dorms will not only be getting aesthetic
 renovations.
 “Essentially, to stop the leaking problem which has been maybe the largest student
complaint of the last sixteen years I’ve been here. Towers will not only become leak free, it will
also take on a different aesthetic look entirely, that is more in keeping with the campus,” Dillon
continued.
 “It will be red brick in color, highlighted with white windows. So it will look very much
like the red brick, white pillar structure thing we have going on here already,” said Dillon.
 Anyone who is interested in how Towers will look after the renovation can go onto the
Concord University website, click on the Residence Life Tab, and then the Towers Renovation
Tab.
 “All student rooms and the fitness center will receive a new heating unit to replace the
heating unit they have now, but they will also incorporate air conditioning. The nice thing about
it is, the current heating units we have expend a great deal of electricity because of their age, and
because they are far past what was expected of their lifespan. “We’re not really expecting an increase in our electric bill even though we’re adding air
conditioning because the units, because the units are so much more efficient since 1968, that
even though they’re air conditioned we’ll expect the same electricity as just doing the heating
part of it,” said Dillon.
 Thanks to the new exterior being put on the buildings, new double pane windows will be
added to replace the current single pane windows. New wireless technology will also be put in to
allow the current technology to have wireless in the rooms and move faster.
 “We started an energy conservation movement some eight or nine years ago, and as part
of that we replaced all towers toilets with ones that use less water, so we will keep those since
they are new.
“We will replace the sinks and showers, and also the sink outside of the bathroom, and
the cabinet with that. Once all that is done, we will supply all new carpet for areas that are
currently carpeted,” said Dillon. The current furniture is likely to stay in towers, because it is
only about twelve years old.
 The roof of the towers buildings will also be replaced, and the fitness center dome is also
going to be repainted. The day care center will be getting handicap bathrooms, and air
conditioning on the ground floor.
“It’s exciting but it’s also a little nerve racking. Housing is in my blood, and to be able to
oversee and work with so many people to bring a residence hall the size of towers to a
spectacular renovation is exciting” said Dillon.
Anyone who wants more information on the project can either visit the webpage, or talk
to the Housing Office, located on the second floor of the student center. You can also call them
at 304-384-5231 or email them at housing@concord.edu.