Work will begin within hours of Commencement

Architects’ rendering of the Marshall and Hamilton residence halls renovation.

CC has signed a $4 million contract with Konover Construction Co. of Farmington, Conn., for the first phase of a major renovation of Hamilton and Marshall residence halls.

Konover also will act as construction manager for renovation of four classrooms this summer: Blaustein 203 and 212, Bill 307 and Cummings 307.

Together, Marshall and Hamilton are home to about 150 students. The residence halls have to be available when classes are in session.

That means workers have just ten weeks this summer to remove windows, insulate the exterior, and create a stucco-like façade similar to that of the four other Plex residence halls. New windows will then be put in place. Inside, floor and ceiling tiles will be replaced, and each room will get new furniture. Next summer new internal mechanical systems, bathrooms and fixtures will be installed.

Konover has already set up shop in a construction trailer between Marshall and Hamilton in anticipation of the flurry of activity this summer. Thirty subcontractors have been lined up for the work.

Most of the Plex, which was built in 1960-62, was gutted to its steel girders and fully rebuilt from the late 1990s into 2001. For the first time since then, construction equipment is returning to the campus for a major building project.

The Plex and classroom renovations are part of a long-range plan to improve the living and learning environment for students. The Board of Trustees approved the investment in the Plex and this phase of classroom work earlier this year.

“This decision is a clear sign of our renewed momentum,” said President Norman Fainstein. “It’s time for the College to shift gears.”

With leadership support from alumni, parents and friends, the College has raised $4.7 million of the $7 million needed for the Plex and for this year’s classroom renovations.