{"id":95547,"date":"2015-06-26T10:48:02","date_gmt":"2015-06-26T14:48:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/?p=95547"},"modified":"2023-01-25T15:41:01","modified_gmt":"2023-01-25T20:41:01","slug":"celebration-tops-off-new-residence-hall-construction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/2015\/06\/26\/celebration-tops-off-new-residence-hall-construction\/","title":{"rendered":"Multimedia: Steel-beam celebration \u2018tops off\u2019 new residence hall construction"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dozens of Bates staff, faculty, neighbors, and friends celebrated the June 19 \u201ctopping off\u201d of twin residence halls under construction on Campus Avenue when workers bolted into place a steel beam emblazoned with signatures and well wishes of many of those in attendance.<\/p>\n

Applause and cheers rippled through the crowd as the beam twirled toward its destination along the roofline of the building going up at 55 Campus Avenue.<\/p>\n\t\n\t

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The ceremony proceeds as viewed from the roof of Carnegie Science Hall. (Leanne Ouimet\/Bates College)<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t

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After bolting the beam into place, Consigli workers return to street level. (Phyllis Graber Jensen\/Bates College)<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t

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A Link-Bilt crane lifts the beam. (Phyllis Graber Jensen\/Bates College)<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t

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Giving a cheer are, from left, Bates Trustee Steve Fuller \u201982, P\u201913, Spencer, Pam Wichroski, director of capital planning and construction, and Streifel. (Phyllis Graber Jensen\/Bates College)<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t

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Consigli workers send the beam up and on its way. (Phyllis Graber Jensen\/Bates College)<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t

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A small spruce tree was wired to the beam, a nod to the ancient Scandinavian tradition of placing a tree or leafy branch atop a new building to appease arboreal spirits that may have been displaced during construction. Beneath the beam fluttered a Bates banner and the American flag.<\/p>\n

Located at 55 and 65 Campus Avenue, the four-story buildings are scheduled to open in August 2016. The first phase of the college’s Campus Life Project, the residence halls will occupy two full blocks and have 243 beds in total.<\/p>\n

In addition, the halls will house the college’s Package Center and Office Services, as well as a new and expanded Bates Bookstore. Plenty of green space will surround the halls for students and the community to enjoy. The buildings will also meet a LEED-equivalent silver standard for efficiency.<\/p>\n