Fri 6 Jun 2008
Lots of cool construction updates from on campus and beyond:
First, check out these new drawings of the renovated Stetson, which looks absolutely bad-ass.
Second, the North and South Academic buildings are nearing completion. While it is difficult to judge without seeing them in person, based on these photos I’d group them with the new Science center and Tunnel City building in the inarguable success category on the scale of recent campus construction (as opposed to the open-to-debate [mainly due to context, not the buildings themselves] new theater and Paresky center, or the what-were-they-thinking studio art building.
Third, the new Stone Hill Center is about to open at the Clark. I would love to see more photos, but the few I have seen look great.
Fourth, the Cable Mills project on Water Street is back on track. Turning this vacant building into that much housing should really revitalize and energize Water Street, and help turn it into a second destination street to complement Spring Street.
June 8th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
Having watched the Times video of the moving of Hamilton’s Grange to St. Nicholas Park this weekend, I am reminded that the College plans to move much of Kellogg House sometime this summer or fall. The core of the building (which dates to the 18th century) has already been moved at least twice. It started out as the first president’s house, situated where the old part of Hopkins Hall is now. It was then moved north to where part of Stetson is now. Then it was moved north again, and spun around. I think the plans are to move it yet further north, nearer Goodrich House, but I’m not sure. At this rate, it will end up in Vermont by the year 2500 or so. I hope that the College will turn the building back around, so that the formal front door faces the road or path and the campus and becomes the main entry point again. It is extremely handsome. I am fond of the small, human-scale houses on campus, and I wish some of the others that were sacrificed to the massive construction projects could have been saved as well. Many thanks to the decision-makers for planning to save this one.
In any event, even if they only move Kellogg a hundred feet and spin it around, it will be quite the sight to see. It will be a fascinating process, and I hope the College will give the public a lot of advance notice. There should be a lot of interest (the Grange had a big audience). With the building near such a steep slope now, there should be plenty of room for lots of people to watch the move in complete safety. Hint to The Powers That Be: a likely Mountain Day or the Friday before a big home football game would suit my schedule nicely.
June 8th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
P.S. I’d love to see a video of the Kellogg House move. I’d also love to see before, during and after clips of the demolition of Sawyer. I’m hoping someone is documenting what the near and distant views look like before and after (but before more construction), with respect to Sawyer.