May 9, 1997 Contact John Crosiar (541) 346-3135 Source: Alex Gordon, project manager, UO Facilities Services, (541) 346-5219; e-mail, Alex_Gordon@ccmail.uoregon.edu The University of Oregon's Erb Memorial Union is on the verge of a major change. Starting Monday, May 12, general contractor and university construction managers will begin mobilizing in the EMU courtyard to start demolition and construction of the North Addition. It signals the start of the $4.5 million project that will transform and update major portions of the sprawling building at East 13th and University. The 18-month project will upgrade food service and recreation areas throughout the 45-year-old west wing. Wildish Construction of Eugene plans to tackle concrete demolition--perhaps the noisiest phase of the project--over May 14-16 when backhoe-mounted pneumatic hammers and large concrete wall saws will tear apart existing walls. "We ask students, faculty, staff and campus visitors to be patient with this three-day period of especially noisy work," says UO project manager Alex Gordon. "During winter break, we conducted a test with a jackhammer in the courtyard. The noise was audible in Friendly Hall, but should not interfere with teaching as long as windows are shut. The jackhammer could not be heard in Columbia 150, a major lecture hall just north of the construction site." The concrete demolition work also will affect truck traffic on East 13th and University. Construction fencing will enclose the courtyard and prevent pedestrian traffic through the Breezeway. Wheelchair traffic will need to use a temporary ramp at the stairs west of the Fishbowl terrace. "Once this demolition phase is completed," Gordon says, "the remainder of the construction project should be much less disturbing." Construction will close the main EMU entrance from early June until Fall Term classes start in September. The rest of the EMU renovation project will begin in July and will be completed by Fall Term 1998. -30- #O-2262/DAY