The Stark Hall demolition project is set to begin on September 19. It will start with the asbestos abasement, which will last for two weeks with minimal impact. Demolition will follow on October 11 and is estimated to be completed by October 24.
From October 11 to October 24, walkways surrounding the area will be closed from 8am-4pm on specified days. This includes the walkway between Stark Hall and the Green Center, as well as the path leading up to Kingston.
“Our Kingston residence will have the benefit of a birds-eye view. [They can] expect minimal impacts at the southern end of the building, near Exeter. Power and all other utilities will not be impacted. The [demolition] will be relatively quick. [The] noisiest few days will be a pneumatic hammer used to break apart the slab,” said Lawrence Yassanye, Assistant Director of Capital Projects.
A safety plan will proceed to mitigate the impact on surrounding areas. The SNHU community can expect further communication from Facilities/Capital, and Public Safety will also provide communication regarding the plan and specific timing of events.
“[These] main walkway…will be affected for pedestrians, but will be controlled daily with dust, etc. The most impactful ‘phase’ of the project will be after the building structure comes down when they need to demolish/remove the concrete slab,” said Capitol Project Manager Alex Regnery. “This will cause some noise and disruption for a few days. Again, this will be carefully assessed ahead of time for timing (days and time of day) and having [the] least impact on the surrounding area.”
Regnery also noted that the greatest impact regarding campus disruption, noise, and dust levels will last for approximately two weeks. However, the demolition schedule is set to work around Homecoming on Friday, October 14.
Past projects, such as the demolition of the West Side apartments initially located near Kingston and New Castle, had minimal disruption to students, according to Vice President for Student Affairs and Campus Initiatives, Heather Lorenz. She also made a point to state that Academic Affairs are ready to hear feedback regarding the demolition.
“[There is] no immediate plan for the site after the building comes down, other than a landscaped/seeded lawn space,” said Regnery.
“Our thought right now is to make it a really nice green space for students that can do whatever they want on it,” Lorenz said. Students (residing in Kingston) are encouraged to reach out to Lorenz with suggestions for the use of the space. She can be reached at h.lorenz@snhu.edu.
