Photo by Kendall Bulkiewicz | The Crow’s Nest.
By Sofía García Vargas
In a recent campus board meeting on Feb. 13, Nick Setteducato, interim regional vice chancellor for Administration and Finance, provided comprehensive updates on the University of South Florida St. Petersburg campus’ facilities enhancements for the fiscal year 2023-2024.
Notably, all projects remain within budget.
Judy Genshaft Student Life Center exterior enhancements and roofing
The now Judy Genshaft Student Life Center witnessed an array of exterior enhancements and roofing improvements, including lighting upgrades, screening along top signage, emergency phone installations, landscaping, and pathway refinements.
Despite minor delays pushing the completion date from January 2024 to April, primarily attributed to reroofing exigencies, preparations for a rededication ceremony post-roofing stand underway, serving as a tribute to Genshaft’s legacy at the university.
The exterior renovation design commenced in August 2022, concluding in December of the same year, with construction initiation in March 2023. Plans for interior renovations, encompassing shading options for the building’s front, are currently in the planning stage.
Photos courtesy of USF.
Fifth Avenue parking garage facility safety protection and structural repairs
A significant undertaking as part of the OneUSF initiative, the Fifth avenue parking garage facility underwent meticulous safety protection and structural repairs, culminating in its completion in December 2023.
The project timeline, saw the inception of fall protection structures in February 2023. Top-level fencing works persisted from June through September, while levels five and six fencing enhancements occurred from November to December.
The shoring and structural repairs, integral to ensuring safety, unfolded from August to November, incorporating maintenance, design and execution.
Photo Courtesy of USF.
Lowell E. Davis Memorial Hall roofing
Marked as the largest classroom building, Lowell E. Davis Memorial Hall encountered roofing challenges that necessitated meticulous attention.
Originally slated for completion in December, the unearthing of sub-roofing layer complications during initial roofing removal prompted delays, with the anticipated conclusion now set for late March.
Despite disruptions, efforts are underway to minimize classroom disturbances.
“We appreciate the patience of the inhabitants of that building,” Setteducato said during the meeting.
Historic John C. Williams House preservation and protection
An invaluable historical asset, the John C. Williams House, dating back to the 1800s and housing the history department, stands as a testament to the campus’s rich heritage.
Thanks to a state grant facilitated by Susan Toler in the College of Arts and Sciences, alongside university funds, preservation efforts are underway.
Structural enhancements and exterior refurbishments are in progress, aiming for completion by April.
Plans for subsequent phases to further nurture the building’s preservation are actively underway.
Boilers for BAY, POY, and SLC
Addressing critical heating needs, the refurbishment of boilers in key campus buildings — Bayboro Hall, The Nelson Poynter Library, and the Student Life Center — signifies a “much needed” upgrade in infrastructure modernization.
Initiating repairs in January and February, the project nears its conclusion, promising improved heating capabilities, much to the relief of occupants who weathered chilly conditions amidst the transition.
“Offices were in the low to mid 60s, if not last at times lower, so I appreciate the patience on that,” Setteducato said. “But the end is near in terms of the project and we’re going to now have much needed heating replacement.”
