March 10, 2005

SIU Trustees move construction projects forward

by Sue Davis

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- The Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees today (March 10) awarded contracts for installing sprinklers in Schneider Hall, one of the three 17-story residence halls at SIU Carbondale, and awarded contracts related to the multi-tenant building for SIUC's Southern Illinois Research Park.

Over the next few years, SIUC will renovate all of its residence halls to meet a state law that went into effect this year that requires sprinklers in residence halls by 2013. Workers will begin by retooling one of the towers each summer and will then move on to other residence halls.

The Board awarded contracts to low bidders McDaniel Fire Systems in Marion for $1,294,200 and to Martin Electric of Johnston City (Keith Martin, Inc.) for $142,750 for the electrical portion of the sprinkler system.

SIU Trustees also approved bids for the multi-tenant research park building, which will go up near the Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center on campus. The project is expected to cost $2.8 million. Grants from the U.S. Departments of Housing and Urban Development and Agriculture totaling $312,000 will help offset costs. Rents from future tenants will later repay the University for its investment.

Zeller Construction of Marion won the general contract with a low bid of $1,357,320. Southern Illinois Piping Contractors of Carbondale will complete the plumbing work for $69,500. McDaniel Fire Systems, Inc. of Marion will install the fire systems for $39,946. Litton Enterprises of Marion won the heating work contract for $164,368. Heartland Mechanical Contractors of Murphysboro won the ventilation work contract for $187,000, and Donco Electric of Centralia won the electrical contract for $235,000. All were low bidders.