The Murray State University residential college destroyed in a blast last summer will be restored with new features. The Board of Regents approved Tuesday moving forward with design changes to J.H. Richmond Hall.
The changes mainly involve an expanded and opened center lobby on the first and second floors and a portico and balcony on the side facing other residential colleges.
Other changes include energy enhancements (involving lighting and HVAC) and converting some classrooms to bedrooms to keep the number of beds the same at 266. Richmond will otherwise be restored to match original plans.
The university gave the campus community an opportunity to offer feedback with regard to design options after they were presented to the Board of Regents in March. In the March meeting, the Regents approved moving forward with restoring the building using its existing structure rather than a complete demolition.
Insurance will cover the cost of restoring Richmond to its state prior to the blast. This amount is around $12.5 million and varies depending on factors that may come up in the construction process, such as mold or water damage.
The Board approved earlier this year allocating $2 million from reserves to make improvements. The estimated cost of renovation is $1 million, leaving room for other improvements or contingencies.
Representatives from the architecture firm Luckett & Farley commended the board for moving along "in an expeditious manner" and said the project is "on track." The public should start seeing work get underway in about three or four weeks.
The new building is expected to be complete by July 2019.
