The Prior Performing Arts Center

The building footprint is in the shape of a cross, with the 'arms' running east-west. The wall now being built at the south end (the Luth end) would be the head of the cross. Without having floorplans to reference, I think the 400 seat theater is located at the south end. The north end, nearest the camera with only the sub-grade foundation poured, will have studios, including a dance studio with a glass wall overlooking Fenwick and Worcester.

To borrow an aphorism, I believe the overtime hours are to 'make hay while the sun shines' during an atypical Worcester winter. Not very often do you see bare ground on Mt. St. James during the first two weeks in February. It does appear that the PAC will have little steel, and the structural support for the building will mostly (entirely?) be concrete. Apparently some of the concrete forms will be challenging to build, so the contractor may be buying time early in the schedule to provide schedule slack during future construction, when more trades will be working on the building.

As for The Jo, it is buttoned up, and most of the work is being done on the inside, protected from the elements. The construction seems to be on schedule.

The excavation closest to the camera is for a sewer, probably a drain for stormwater runoff, as opposed to a sanitary sewer, or a sewer that carries both sewage and stormwater.  I suspect these are for drains in the road at the front entrance of the PAC, so stormwater doesn't slosh through the front doors.

The excavation to the left of the camera is much bigger and deeper.  I think this is for stormwarer detention cells.  These cells temporarily store runoff so that it doesn't flow down the hill and create or add to street flooding.  These cells were installed on the east side of the Luth, and at the northeast corner of the new parking lot.

To answer that I had to look at a map showing where the sewage treatment plant is.

The plant is near the SW cutoff, south of Quinsigamond Village.  I'll wager good money that the sanitary sewer for the PAC heads east toward Mulledy, and from there, very likely will connect to an existing sanitary sewer serving the college.  This existing sewer drops down to McKeon Road, where it would connect with a large diameter, city sewer.

Worcester has four square miles of combined sewers.  The combined sewer system is north of College Hill, and parts of which date back to the founding of the college, and are still in use.   They don't build them like they used to. 

     

PP: I assume you are referring to the big red rig on the left side of the screen... watched it being brought in yesterday in several pieces. Looks like the concrete walls are now complete. 

Also, brought in yesterday were several porta-potties and lots of concrete water/sewer catch basins (not sure of the proper name)?

The crane is up!!! They might have to change the elevation of the camera to see it all! 

Probably between those two numbers, and more toward the lower of the two.  That does not include the operator.  I think the rental company provides the operator, whose hourly rate would be added to the crane rental.  I think the daily rate applies every day the crane is on site, which would include Saturdays and Sundays.   This is surely the biggest crane that has ever been on College Hill.

Last Sunday, I went to my grandson's travel hockey game played at Warrior Arena in Boston (Bruin's practice facility - really nice place). Across the street were a couple of large cranes, similar but much smaller than the one currently on site at HC. Standing next to one, I was just blown away at how huge it was and the weights that were on the back. 

Early this afternoon, the giant crane at HC was moved to a new position next to the Prior foundation. Coming days should be interesting to watch....

No.  It shouldn't.  Unless the U.S, adopts draconian measures such as those planned in Italy, e.g., closing all businesses for two weeks (with several exceptions.)  

The operator just fired up the crane! Looks like they are ready to unload the steel

I have no idea.  I did not see them do this, but its a flat surface and I can only assume there will be another layer of concrete poured on top.  The material as you described it would appear to be too fragile to leave exposed during this stage of construction.  It could be that conduit and pipe will be laid, and then another layer of concrete.

No new ideas.  Worcester has apparently not suspended construction, so they were not mothballing the site.  Its possible they were working on Saturday if they were installing material in an area where steel is being erected Mon-Fri, and it would be unsafe to be there as steel beams are hoisted overhead.

The steel looks to be for the 400 seat performance hall, and there is a loge / balcony.  I have no floor plan, but this is a rendering.