By Hannah Houser
Ranger Reporter
The end is near. Construction on the Byrd Business Building and Parcells Hall is estimated to be finished within the next year.
“We’re getting ready to finish out the first floors of both Byrd and Parcells,” said Bruce Cotgreave, director of the Amarillo College physical plant.
Cotgreave said the renovation plan was scheduled to pass through the board of regents on Oct. 23 for approval. It will cost about $1.9 million to complete construction.
With an approved plan, Cotgreave said he hopes to start construction on the first floor. Estimated finish time is eight to nine months. Once the first floor is finished, construction in Byrd and Parcells will be complete.
Byrd and Parcells have been under renovation since summer 2010, Cotgreave said.
Construction started in the summer of 2010 on the second, third and fourth floors of Parcells, and in 2011, construction started on the second, third and fourth floors of Byrd. All those floors were completed this summer.
“They were completely gutted,” Cotgreave said. “Basically, everything there is brand new. Everything but the structure. It was pretty ugly.”
After construction is finished, AC business offices will move under the Byrd Business side of the buildings, college relations will move under Parcells Hall and a small area for purchasing will move in under Parcells as well.
Other ongoing projects are renovation of the music building and buildings S and V on the East Campus, and starting in November the second floor of Lynn Library will begin undergoing renovations.
While construction may be necessary, students find it an inconvenience to adjust during construction.
“It’s a hassle. It can get annoying,” said Amy Mata, a graphic design major.
“But at least it’s making the campus look better.”
According to Mata, wires sticking out, holes in walls and unfinished paint jobs are fairly common sights throughout Byrd and Parcells.
“I like to make faces out of what’s not finished,” Mata said.
“It’s not too bad, but I’d like to see what it looks like when it’s finished. It doesn’t bug me that much, but I’d like to see another elevator.”
“The way I see it, you got to do what you got to do,” said Tyler Wedell, a mass communication major.
“I used to be a plumber, and we’d always get in the way of people’s stuff and they’d get mad. But they wanted their stuff fixed. You’ve got to deal with it.”
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