2008 Woodie Awards
Pershing pushes forward with plans
Caitlin Dean
Issue date: 8/17/08 Section: News
The future face of Pershing Building teeters on the brink of a decision as renovation plans begin to shift from discussions to drawings and time lines.
The foremost initiative of the Pershing renovation remains the same: a major redo of a building in serious need, said Sam Minner, dean of the school of health sciences and education and co-chair of the Pershing Building committee. This concept continually inches closer to becoming a reality, as St. Louis, Mo.-based project architectural firm Hastings and Chivetta recently presented the school with digital concept drawings of what the completed building might look like.
Despite setbacks early in the planning stages due to lawsuits against the primary funding source, the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority, Minner said he does not anticipate any additional financial problems.
"I am very optimistic, fully confident that the Pershing project's going to become a reality on our campus," Minner said. "It's desperately needed."
Hastings and Chivetta paid several visits to the campus this summer, primarily to examine engineering issues within Pershing, such as heating, venting and air conditioning, electrical wiring and water, Minner said. Previously, Hastings and Chivetta met with faculty members who will use the new building to discuss what they would like to see incorporated. The firm took these suggestions and requests into consideration when drawing tentative plans for the building, resulting in a design Minner said will be aesthetically pleasing and will serve as a good learning and working environment.
Minner said plans include an addition in what now serves as the primary Pershing parking lot. The new addition will house the nursing and communication disorders departments, he said. The existing lot on the other side of the building eventually will be expanded to replace lost parking spaces.
"That will be really the main parking that will ultimately feed Pershing," Minner said. "Of course, the long-term plans are to make the entry for the gymnasium on that side."
The foremost initiative of the Pershing renovation remains the same: a major redo of a building in serious need, said Sam Minner, dean of the school of health sciences and education and co-chair of the Pershing Building committee. This concept continually inches closer to becoming a reality, as St. Louis, Mo.-based project architectural firm Hastings and Chivetta recently presented the school with digital concept drawings of what the completed building might look like.
Despite setbacks early in the planning stages due to lawsuits against the primary funding source, the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority, Minner said he does not anticipate any additional financial problems.
"I am very optimistic, fully confident that the Pershing project's going to become a reality on our campus," Minner said. "It's desperately needed."
Hastings and Chivetta paid several visits to the campus this summer, primarily to examine engineering issues within Pershing, such as heating, venting and air conditioning, electrical wiring and water, Minner said. Previously, Hastings and Chivetta met with faculty members who will use the new building to discuss what they would like to see incorporated. The firm took these suggestions and requests into consideration when drawing tentative plans for the building, resulting in a design Minner said will be aesthetically pleasing and will serve as a good learning and working environment.
Minner said plans include an addition in what now serves as the primary Pershing parking lot. The new addition will house the nursing and communication disorders departments, he said. The existing lot on the other side of the building eventually will be expanded to replace lost parking spaces.
"That will be really the main parking that will ultimately feed Pershing," Minner said. "Of course, the long-term plans are to make the entry for the gymnasium on that side."
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