Sundt Construction is returning to the University of Arizona to renovate the school’s historic Old Main building.
This is the second time Sundt will have helped preserve the 121-year-old iconic structure.
With an extensive background in rehabilitation and preservation, Sundt recently was awarded the project by the Arizona Board of Regents. Sundt’s project team already is evaluating the structural integrity and envelope of the building, identifying issues with the roof, porch, foundations and load-bearing structures, and determining solutions and options for the renovation.
“As we continue to evaluate and plan the renovation of Old Main, we are cognizant of the building’s existing condition, unique character and history,” said Kurt Wadlington, project director for Sundt. “The key is to find the balance between preserving the original aspects of the building and updating the structure for safety and efficient use.”
Built in 1891, the university’s Old Main building has been renovated twice before. The first was during World War II, when the U.S. Navy stepped in to save the building from demolition and used the space for a training facility.
Sundt was hired by the Navy to repair the exterior and interior walls, replace the failing roof trusses, and make several other updates. UA later reclaimed Old Main as a functional building. In 1972, Old Main was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Additional upgrades to the building took place between 2006 and 2008.
Sundt, serving as the design-build contractor, and the project’s architectural team of Poster Frost Mirto and NTD Architecture, plan to fence the site and begin design and preconstruction work in December and January. The $13.5M renovation project is scheduled for completion by July 2014.
