WWU resumes construction of residence hall after coronavirus pandemic forced stop
Western Washington University is getting back in construction mode after fine-tuning its social distancing procedures during the coronavirus pandemic.
Earlier this week work resumed on its new residential project, which is replacing Highland Hall. The new hall will have 400 beds, which is 264 more than what Highland Hall had before it was demolished earlier this year. According to a news release from the university, officials have created a set of workplace protocols that meet the state’s guidelines for capital projects.
On March 13 a worker on the job site tested positive to COVID-19, shutting down the project.
Construction of the project was originally scheduled to be completed by the fall of 2021. It is unclear at this point whether it will be completed at that time, given the factors the pandemic could have on the schedule, said Paul Cocke, director of university communications.
Western is also considering resuming a second major construction project, the Interdisciplinary Science Building. It will need to have similar social distancing procedures in place if it were to proceed, Cocke said.
The new science building will be near the current biology building and have about 50,000 square feet of space. It was also scheduled to be completed by the fall of 2021.
