|
Post by CHC8485 on Aug 21, 2019 10:35:36 GMT -5
Road will certainly be no closer to the Jo than the old fieldhouse was on BOTH sides and there were no bollards there.
take a look at the architects renderings. That corner will be protected from accidental contact by a sidewalk with granite curbs - which appear to have arrived and are sitting on the new blacktop ready to be installed.
|
|
|
Post by alum on Aug 21, 2019 14:24:32 GMT -5
I was searching for info on whether DiMeo is also the general contractor for the Center for Creativity and the Arts -- they are, indicating that HC had followed advice to have the same contractor build both buildings and save some money -- and came across an info blog by a Worcester trades union rep. The rep listed major upcoming construction jobs in Greater Worcester, and noted that HC's general policy was to have construction contracts valued at more than $1 million be done with union labor. The ironworkers on the construction site are probably from the Boston local, which has 3500 members. Same as for the operating engineer on the crane. From the webcam, they seem to be very efficient and methodical. That's what I like to see
|
|
|
Post by Pakachoag Phreek on Aug 22, 2019 5:13:01 GMT -5
I thought the running track will be above the two basketball courts. I believe it is. But a suspended track does not count as a floor. the track is a tenth of a mile, which would result from having a track with two 200 foot segments, and two 70 foot segments. That leads me to believe the two courts will be oriented east west, rather than the north south configuration for courts in the old field house.
|
|
|
Post by hc6774 on Aug 23, 2019 16:14:34 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by Pakachoag Phreek on Aug 28, 2019 10:29:36 GMT -5
From the webcam,
The Upper Campus Road is open to general traffic. However, I think it will likely be closed, or at least one lane will be closed, as the facade goes up on the SE corner.
On the north section of The Jo, I think nearly all the steel is up. Can't tell whether there is still a small section at the NW corner where stell still needs to be erected. From the sequence of floors,
> there is a small below ground floor, which may be used for utilities or equipment storage.
> Above that is the ground floor, with access at the NW corner, off Wheeler Rd.
> First floor, direct access from the west by the new home for campus police, and from the east by the grass plaza that will lead to the Hoval.
> Second floor
> Above a portion of the roof for the second floor is the steel or aluminum framing for a screen for the mechanicals and an elevator overrun.
On the south section of The Jo, steel for that part of the building which will house the basketball courts started going up today. One can see how close the SE corner of the building is to the Upper Campus Rd. from the steel column that has been placed at that point.
The south section starts at the first floor. How much of a second floor there will be, other than the suspended running track, I can't tell..
I am guesstimating that the two courts will have an area of 14,000 sq ft. roughly 200 feet E-W, 70 feet N-S.
|
|
|
Post by Pakachoag Phreek on Sept 18, 2019 7:05:53 GMT -5
Looking at the webcam this morning, it appears they are setting up a beam signing ceremony today. The last steel beam is traditionally painted white, signed by various people, and hoisted into place with an American flag and small 'Christmas-type' tree. Sometimes there is a party. This does not mean that beam will be hoisted today, but it signifies that the steel erection phase of construction is near the end.
|
|
|
Post by HCFC45 on Sept 18, 2019 13:14:43 GMT -5
Looking at the webcam this morning, it appears they are setting up a beam signing ceremony today. The last steel beam is traditionally painted white, signed by various people, and hoisted into place with an American flag and small 'Christmas-type' tree. Sometimes there is a party. This does not mean that beam will be hoisted today, but it signifies that the steel erection phase of construction is near the end. Taking place right now! Had a flag on the end but that appears to have been removed. Beam is now in place!
|
|
|
Post by breezy on Sept 18, 2019 16:41:35 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by HCFC45 on Sept 20, 2019 6:57:41 GMT -5
WOW! 5 concrete trucks currently on site! Lot of "cement" being poured today! About 50 cubic yards! !
|
|
|
Post by Pakachoag Phreek on Dec 12, 2019 7:26:01 GMT -5
From the webcam, the northern part of the building, which has three+ levels and houses the spaces for club sports, exercise activities, etc. etc, appears to be buttoned up for the winter. The upper floor glass is installed, as is base paneling for the brick. The southern half of the building, which is only one level for the hoops courts with an elevated track, still looks to be open on the west side. The east side facing the webcam is pretty much buttoned up, and I'm guessing the south side, next to the Upper Campus Road is as well. The snowplows apparently made quick work of the speeds bumps, and with their disappearance, one can see a pronounced dip in the road about where the construction gate on the southeast side of The Jo is. Excess speed, fast car, get airborne, and one can really elevate, like this Porscha in NJ a few weeks ago.
|
|
|
Post by Bleed Purple on Apr 5, 2020 16:07:36 GMT -5
PP, I was looking at the "Jo" web cam (what I have now reverted to while sheltering in place without sports on TV) and noticed there is a large expanse of asphalt between the "Jo" and Hogan. Parking? Please tell me that it is temporary. Aesthetically, it does not fit into our otherwise beautiful campus, imho. There has got to be at least an acre of land that could be beautiful green space. I am hoping the asphalt "eye sore" is only temporary due to construction. Thoughts?
|
|
|
Post by KY Crusader 75 on Apr 5, 2020 16:17:20 GMT -5
PP, I was looking at the "Jo" web cam (what I have now reverted to while sheltering in place without sports on TV) and noticed there is a large expanse of asphalt between the "Jo" and Hogan. Parking? Please tell me that it is temporary. Aesthetically, it does not fit into our otherwise beautiful campus, imho. There has got to be at least an acre of land that could be beautiful green space. I am hoping the asphalt "eye sore" is only temporary due to construction. Thoughts? Gulfstream is running now and Oaklawn as well--
|
|
|
Post by hchoops on Apr 5, 2020 16:27:00 GMT -5
Are there fans there ? Is horse racing really a sport ? ( intended time provoke) I thought there were only three races a year.
|
|
|
Post by Pakachoag Phreek on Apr 5, 2020 17:46:13 GMT -5
PP, I was looking at the "Jo" web cam (what I have now reverted to while sheltering in place without sports on TV) and noticed there is a large expanse of asphalt between the "Jo" and Hogan. Parking? Please tell me that it is temporary. Aesthetically, it does not fit into our otherwise beautiful campus, imho. There has got to be at least an acre of land that could be beautiful green space. I am hoping the asphalt "eye sore" is only temporary due to construction. Thoughts? The large expanse of asphalt is permanent. This is not for parking; it is used by trucks, including semi-trailers, when backing into the loading docks and dumpster at the bottom of Hogan. A smaller version of this existed from when Hogan was first built. Some may view this as the most important area of asphalt on campus; all alcohol deliveries are made here. See: goo.gl/maps/vmttqTzAk4t54nPb6When the college straightened Upper Campus Rd as part of The Jo project, the grass plot between the westbound Upper Campus Rd and the maneuvering area for delivery trucks was dug up, leveled to a more uniform grade, and paved. The gray gravel path at frame right of the webcam will connect The Jo with the Hogan Oval, (hovel (sp?)). The area that the contractor is currently using for staging and trailers will become a grass-covered plaza. The image below shows the reconfiguration of the loading area for the delivery trucks.
|
|
|
Post by Pakachoag Phreek on Apr 5, 2020 20:05:38 GMT -5
Short exterior construction video of The Jo from the end of February.
|
|
|
Post by KY Crusader 75 on Apr 5, 2020 20:58:47 GMT -5
Are there fans there ? Is horse racing really a sport ? ( intended time provoke) I thought there were only three races a year. Most tracks are running without a live audience now. Of course, much of the track's "handle" comes from on line accounts and presumably many of the folks who would have gone to the track and bet in person will play from home as well. As I see it, there's no reason to stop racing because the horses must be taken care of anyways, so there will always be grooms and exercise riders backside. You don't have to add a tremendous number of additional people to stage the races to bring in all the revenue for the state, the riders & trainers, the track, and the owners. I just had a couple of big days playing Gulfstream-- but we should be getting ready for The Derby in 4 weeks and it will be a very strange "First Saturday in May".
|
|
|
Post by hchoops on Apr 5, 2020 21:01:01 GMT -5
So why do they race in Fla,but not the Derby ?
|
|
|
Post by KY Crusader 75 on Apr 5, 2020 22:23:34 GMT -5
So why do they race in Fla,but not the Derby ? The Kentucky Derby keys a 2 week festival that brings hundreds of thousands of people to Louisville who spend hundreds of millions of dollars on hotels, restaurants, bars, women's hats, fashions in addition to race wagers. As well, Churchill Downs must take in $100,000,000+ in ticket sales for the Oaks and Derby. The company could never replace that revenue and is counting on running the race in front of massive crowds in September. At that point CD could always run the Derby in front of empty seats if the pandemic makes social distancing still the rule. Other than on Florida Derby Day, Gulfstream likely would attract a small (several thousand) on track live attendance on a regular day. The gambling handle, driving the track's take, far exceeds ticket revenue and concessions--$10,000,000+ at Gulfstream today. The "takeout" (divided between the state, the track, and purse money) would be about $2,000,000 for the day. That is higher than a typical day since so many track are closed--people like me who usually play the NYRA tracks have looked to Gulfstream for their entertainment/challenges.
|
|
|
Post by hc89 on Apr 6, 2020 12:13:23 GMT -5
All on-campus construction projects are being shut down as of today. The shutdown will last, at least, until May 4, 2020.
|
|
|
Post by rgs318 on Apr 6, 2020 12:51:19 GMT -5
Interesting to hear how much is still in flux on the Hill. There are committees a-plenty working on plans to meet "what-if" scenarios. That us encouraging. It was also good to hear how HC investments have been conservative (which we knew) but also that a large portion is liquid to cover as much as possible what may come up in both the near and distant future.
|
|
|
Post by Bleed Purple on May 31, 2020 20:27:11 GMT -5
I am relieved to see that they appear to be putting a green space island in the middle of the asphalt expanse between Hogan and "The Jo". Much better aesthetic.
|
|
|
Post by Pakachoag Phreek on Jul 3, 2020 11:39:00 GMT -5
The Jo looks to be near substantial completion.
The contractor has demobilized and the construction trailers, and the large box containers that were used to hold supplies and materials have been taken away. The exterior brickwork is nearly done. From the webcam today, it appears they are clearing the terrace area between The Jo and Hogan, which in the renderings is a grass-covered play space.
My guess is that The Jo will be substantially complete by end of July, and August will be devoted to punch list and testing (e.g., fire alarm etc.) The two basketball courts, assuming these are wood, would be about the last big item to be installed.
Exterior landscaping will probably be planted Sept. - Oct., but one can safely occupy a building while landscapers are planting shrubs outside.
The college has said, 'The Jo won't be open to students until November'. IMO, this may reflect priorities set for facilities and grounds staff, who will be busy installing and maintaining COVID-19 alterations and protocols early in the semester. The college, not the contractor, is responsible for purchasing, moving, and installing furnishings and equipment.
|
|
|
Post by hchoops on Jul 3, 2020 12:08:26 GMT -5
Thus second semester will probably the earliest time for play.
|
|
|
Post by timholycross on Jul 6, 2020 13:47:26 GMT -5
Kids (and young men/women) are out doing things- playing pickup hoop, soccer, etc.
Aside from competitive athletics, are they going to attempt to ban all that on campus? Good luck with that. The horse is long out of the barn.
|
|
|
Post by Tom on Jul 7, 2020 8:03:54 GMT -5
Kids (and young men/women) are out doing things- playing pickup hoop, soccer, etc. Aside from competitive athletics, are they going to attempt to ban all that on campus? Good luck with that. The horse is long out of the barn. In my town, every public basketball hoop has been taken down. Hard to stop pick up soccer, baseball, football etc without mining the fields
|
|