Phase II of Union Further Delayed

Phase II includes closing the basement and second floor of the Union.

The construction of a new addition to the Union -- Phase I -- was most recently projected to end in late March or early April. The end date has been pushed back five times from the original June 2001 estimate.

The second phase of construction cannot begin until the new addition is ready for use.

Don Luse, director of the Union, points to a number of causes for the delay of the beginning of Phase II, including state insurance, construction workers hitting rock while digging, the weather and communication problems between University officials and construction workers.

"Everything has to be looked at carefully, so there were delays in approval," he said. "The state held this up a little bit."

The construction workers hit rock recently when they were digging between the existing building and the new building. Luse said that problem, as well as some adverse weather conditions, has delayed the project more than a month.

Coordination problems between University officials and the construction workers have also slowed the renovations. Work was not done to satisfaction and needed to be redone, Luse said.

"I think the good news is we're very satisfied with the quality of work that we've been given," he said.

Despite the delays, Luse said the project's cost has not increased.

The Union Underground was closed at the beginning of the spring semester for storage of office furniture and supplies from the old part of the Union that will be closing next. "We have to begin storing some things in anticipation of moving," Luse said.

He said student organizations will be expected to pack their things into boxes, but they will not move the boxes to the new building themselves.

Student groups will have a maximum of two weeks to move in May.

The Underground will open back up after Phase II of the renovations are complete, which is set to happen Nov. 13, Luse said.

He said Union officials have informed the student body about the status of the renovation by posting signs, and they have been communicating regularly with student organizations that have offices in the Union.

Luse predicted that students would probably experience the most frustration when they have to move.

"The renovation project was designed so we could still be operating while working on the new part so we wouldn't be shut down," he said. "We're still providing everything we've always provided."

The University Editor can be reached at udesk@unc.edu.