This content was published: October 9, 2014. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
With crane in place, contractors erect trusses at Sylvania Campus CC entrance
Photos and story by James Hill
The front door to the College Center building at the Sylvania Campus is getting a major facelift.
On Wednesday, Oct. 8, about a dozen workers with Howard S. Wright Construction used a 50-ton boom truck and crane from Ness & Campbell to install six beam-like trusses, and corresponding temporary trusses, as roof support for the new entrance to the 44-year-old Amo DeBernardis College Center at the Sylvania Campus. The new entrance work is part of the $65 million earmarked by the 2008 voter-approved $374 million bond measure for construction and improvements at the campus.
Workers put in place giant trusses on Oct. 8 to help support the new atrium entrance to the College Center.
The work started at 5:30 a.m. and continued through mid-afternoon. And the real job might have been getting the crane squeezed into place between the narrow corridor of the Library and College Center. Workers laid down matting to protect the landscaping and grass as the crane was driven in and positioned. Additional wood mats were stacked to stabilize the large truck so that the crane’s rigging could safely move each truss into place.
“After years of discussion and planning about the creation of a new front door to Sylvania, it’s really exciting to see construction happening and a tangible project being created,” said Gary Sutton, Sylvania Campus bond manager.
The College Center’s enclosed east entry will consist of a combination of wood, steel and glazing systems. The entry will be a courtyard and will feature the Sylvania Campus’ red cedar totem pole, which was carved and installed by Canadian Native artist Richard Hunt on campus in 2001, to welcome students and guests.
The crane provided a special opportunity for the college to save some money, too.
“Since we have the crane out here, we have a unique opportunity to pull unused equipment off the roof,” said Sutton. “We figured that while we were spending time and energy on this project, why not clean the roof at the same time?”
The general contractor for the work at Sylvania is Howard S. Wright, and the architect is GBD Architects.
About James Hill
James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, is the Director of Public Relations at Portland Community College. A graduate of Portland State University, James has worked as a section editor for the Newberg Graphic... more »