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SmallerMUNCIE, Ind. - A stroll through the Music Instruction Building construction site at Ball State University reveals a boon for the local and state economy.
Before music students step foot in the state-of-the-art structure, local workers and businesses will reap the benefits of constructing the $21 million project that will be completed by fall 2004.
"Ball State is grateful that the General Assembly created such a win-win for the university and the local economy," said Tom Morrison, Ball State's director of state fiscal relations. "They chose to invest in enhancing the quality of our academic programs as well as support a project that is boosting the local economy."
On a typical spring day, more than 75 people, whose ages range from 18 to 83, are working at the site. During peak construction this summer, the workforce could nearly double, said George Butler, project manager for campus construction.
"The level of craftsmanship, attitude and safety on this project has been very good," Butler said. "It's nice to know we can hire local contractors, subcontractors and suppliers who can provide a quality product."
Fort Wayne-based Weigand Construction is the general contractor managing the day-to-day aspects of the project. Inside their trailer are seemingly endless reams of architectural plans designed by CSO Architects, Indianapolis.
Outside of the trailer, men and machines bring the drawings to life. A towering crane, operated by Martin Incorporated of Fort Wayne, hoists steel girders into place. The crane's cargo of steel beams was fabricated by Stephens Fabrication in Kokomo.
On the east side of the building, an Irving Materials, Inc., concrete truck dumps yards of gray slurry into a small caravan of rolling grout troughs manned by members of the local International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers. Nearly 20 masons and helpers construct the walls one concrete block at a time. By the time the job is finished, "I will have spent nearly 18 months working in my backyard," said Guy Cook, mason.
Cook has been in masonry for 15 years. In recent months, he has worked in eight states. While the pay for out-of-state work may be slightly higher, having the bonus of a short, 10-minute commute is a worthy benefit, Cook said.
"My wife is ready to have a baby," Cook said. "When she goes into labor it will be nice to be able to drive her to the hospital and be there when our child is born."
Bruce Johnson ices a concrete block with mortar, adds it to the wall and levels it - a process he repeats 250 times or more each day. Knowing that his home in Economy, Ind., is only a 35-minute drive away makes the long days and countless blocks worthwhile, he said.
"In this line of work, you can expect to travel," Johnson said. "Any time you're less than an hour from home, you're doing good."
(NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information, contact Butler at (765) 285-2155 ggbutler@bsu.edu.)
By Layne Cameron, Media Relations ManagerBefore music students step foot in the state-of-the-art structure, local workers and businesses will reap the benefits of constructing the $21 million project that will be completed by fall 2004.
"Ball State is grateful that the General Assembly created such a win-win for the university and the local economy," said Tom Morrison, Ball State's director of state fiscal relations. "They chose to invest in enhancing the quality of our academic programs as well as support a project that is boosting the local economy."
On a typical spring day, more than 75 people, whose ages range from 18 to 83, are working at the site. During peak construction this summer, the workforce could nearly double, said George Butler, project manager for campus construction.
"The level of craftsmanship, attitude and safety on this project has been very good," Butler said. "It's nice to know we can hire local contractors, subcontractors and suppliers who can provide a quality product."
Fort Wayne-based Weigand Construction is the general contractor managing the day-to-day aspects of the project. Inside their trailer are seemingly endless reams of architectural plans designed by CSO Architects, Indianapolis.
Outside of the trailer, men and machines bring the drawings to life. A towering crane, operated by Martin Incorporated of Fort Wayne, hoists steel girders into place. The crane's cargo of steel beams was fabricated by Stephens Fabrication in Kokomo.
On the east side of the building, an Irving Materials, Inc., concrete truck dumps yards of gray slurry into a small caravan of rolling grout troughs manned by members of the local International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers. Nearly 20 masons and helpers construct the walls one concrete block at a time. By the time the job is finished, "I will have spent nearly 18 months working in my backyard," said Guy Cook, mason.
Cook has been in masonry for 15 years. In recent months, he has worked in eight states. While the pay for out-of-state work may be slightly higher, having the bonus of a short, 10-minute commute is a worthy benefit, Cook said.
"My wife is ready to have a baby," Cook said. "When she goes into labor it will be nice to be able to drive her to the hospital and be there when our child is born."
Bruce Johnson ices a concrete block with mortar, adds it to the wall and levels it - a process he repeats 250 times or more each day. Knowing that his home in Economy, Ind., is only a 35-minute drive away makes the long days and countless blocks worthwhile, he said.
"In this line of work, you can expect to travel," Johnson said. "Any time you're less than an hour from home, you're doing good."
(NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information, contact Butler at (765) 285-2155 ggbutler@bsu.edu.)
