The Collegian

Issue date: 5/9/06 Section: News

Media Credit: COURTESY OF ADVANCEMENT OFFICE An artist's rendition of the Frank and Olivia Filippi Academic Hall depicts the new courtyard across from Augustine that will be part of the building to be completed in 2007. The groundbreaking will be held May 19.

A few weeks ago, students received an e-mail addressed from Barbara Smith in the President's Office saying "[Saint Mary's] will hold a groundbreaking ceremony on May 19, at 11:30 a.m. for the Frank and Olivia Filippi Academic Hall." The e-mail references the new two-story, 37,000 square foot, U-shaped building and courtyard that will be located in the Augustine parking lot. The hype about this new project is that it will increase office as well as classroom space.

The notion of the new building originally came into play back in 2000, "when it was obvious that there weren't enough classrooms or offices," said Joe Kehoe, executive director of the Physical Plant. In response to said shortage, the school came up with a strategic facilities group, internal to the administration, who hired an outside consultant to see what options the college would have.

Six years later, construction on the new Filippi is set to begin on May 22. This 14-month project should be finished and furnished by the end of August or early September of 2007, "but these things can run longer than expected," said Kehoe, "that's why we have no move-in date set."

"Most immediately the freshmen in Augustine" will be affected by the new structure, said Joe Kehoe, "We're taking over their parking lot."

However, a temporary lot will be built near the library, so no one is losing parking space. The location is key, because it "maximizes square footage and allows us to build something big enough to handle what we want to get done," said Kehoe.

One of the original locations was along the entry drive where the lacrosse field currently stands. This was a controversial choice for two reasons. Firstly, it did not offer as much space as the Augustine parking lot. Secondly, it would detract from the aesthetic environment of the campus.

Other than Augustine residents, those relocating to the Filippi Academic Hall will be affected. This includes the Montesorri Academic Program, which will be moved from Dante Hall, the Academic Support Center, which will be moved from Sichel Hall, as well as the School of Education.

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