If you haven’t noticed by now, there’s a large crane on campus next to Carter Hall.
The crane arrived on Monday, Feb. 15, and over the next few weeks will install twenty-four pieces needed to complete the Carter tower, including the center tower walls, and lower and upper crenellations. The tower is the final step in the first phase of the Carter Renovation.
“Overall, the project is progressing well,” said David Northcutt, campus architect. “As with any project of this size and complexity, there will be challenges along the way. The concrete repairs at the top of the tower have delayed its completion but it is exciting to see the top beginning to take shape.”
Carter Circle and parts of Brock Garden are barricaded while the crane is on campus and pedestrian traffic has been temporarily redirected through the Overlook to the front of Brock Hall. A temporary entrance from the Lobby to the Great Hall has also been created, since the North Hall on the main floor is closed.
Northcutt said that the completion date is targeted for early March, but that will depend on the cooperation of the weather.
“At this point in the project, we have come to expect the unexpected. We learned a lot in the first phase that we are able to implement in the current and future phases. As a safety measure, the crane does not operate in winds above 20 mph. We have already experienced delays last week due to the wind,” said Northcutt.
Covenant students living in the north portion of Carter have their own challenges, as they are required to leave their rooms when the crane begins work at 8:30 a.m. and are not allowed back in until it is finished. Gracie Woodrow, a sophomore on Fourth North, is trying to make the best of a bad situation.
“It certainly is inconvenient having to move out of your room every morning, but I've been so grateful for everyone—individuals and whole halls—who have offered us a place to crash throughout the day. In light of all the recent events happening in Carter and on campus, stressing about a crane seems so trivial and temporary,” said Woodrow. “I’m just hoping I remember that when my alarm goes off at seven in the morning for the next two weeks!”
The Carter Hall renovation project will cost $19.4 million—63 percent of which ($12,201,416) has already been raised through donations alone, according to chief financial officer Dan Wykoff.
“I hope that students are delighted to know this. Think about it: people with means (great and small) loved the idea of an art building, so they funded all $2.2 million of its cost. And those who love the College have given $12,201,416 just for the Carter Hall project. Incredible.”
“We're confident the Lord will provide the rest of the funding in the months ahead,” Wykoff said. “With a project of this size, scope, cost, and complexity, we've been delighted that there have been no significant setbacks. The weather is a constant challenge but overall, the project is still on track and moving steadily along.”
Wykoff said the school would appreciate students praying for the residents of Carter Hall, safety of the construction works, wisdom for the administration (particularly for David Northcutt and his team), and success for the fundraising efforts led by Jeff Sandhoff, Vice President for Advancement.