From: Ronnie Smith, Vice Chancellor, Administration and Finance
Subject: Hurricane Katrina Recovery – Update #64
Posted: March 14, 2008

We continue to focus on completing the work necessary to allow us to reoccupy the front and center portions of 1542 Tulane Ave. The duct cleaning project is nearing completion. The removal of peeling paint (a result of the extended exposure to heat and humidity) and the final cleaning/remediation is complete throughout the Tulane Ave. side of the building and the center corridor. This work is nearing completion in the old section of the building.

The repainting that was needed has been more extensive that initially contemplated. This was further aggravated by the discovery of mold in the drywall behind the base molding in many parts of the building. The molded drywall has been removed and new drywall installed, taped and floated. A significant portion of the damaged floor tile that contained asbestos has been removed from the building. Ceiling tiles are being replaced and ceiling grids are being cleaned and repainted as necessary.

The contractor responsible for the majority of the repairs to the multiple building systems at 1542 Tulane Ave. recently completed a walk though of the building with the architects and a punch list has been developed. One electrical panel that provides power to selected air handlers was found to have been missed by the engineers and it does not yet have power provided to it. This should be corrected quickly.

We were pleased to be able to sign off on the Project Worksheet (PW) versions and the related Section 406 Hazard Mitigation proposals for the Allied Health/Nursing Building and the Resource Center recently. These documents have been submitted to the various review queues within the FEMA offices in Louisiana. They will also be reviewed in Washington, DC due to the amount of the Federal funding involved. We are confident that both projects will be approved and funds obligated. The design team is already at work on the Construction Documents for both of these buildings. We would anticipate seeing similar documents for the Residence Hall within the next few weeks.

The Design Concept for the permanent repairs and Section 406 Hazard Mitigation to the MEB and the CSRB (a combined building proposal) is being routed internally within FEMA. Its complexity and sophistication have drawn additional attention from FEMA, but we remain optimistic that the concept will be found to be acceptable. We recently received the Design/Development documents from the design team on this project and they are under review at this time. This package of documents will become the basis of the final and formal review, approval and obligation of funds by FEMA.

During the past week, FEMA received the Design Concept for the permanent repairs and Hazard Mitigation of the Dental School Clinic Building, Administration Building and the Power Plant. This is another proposal that combines multiple but related buildings into a single proposal. The plan is highlighted by the construction of an annex to the Clinic Building that will house critical functions that were previously located on the 1st Floor of the Clinic Building, as well as critical mechanical, electrical and plumbing equipment that was originally located in the shared basement spaces. Early indications are that the benefit/cost analysis of this project should be very favorable, so we are optimistic that the concept will be found to be acceptable by FEMA.

Here are highlights of work that has been accomplished since our last update was posted two weeks ago.

Lions/LSU Clinic Permanent Repairs and Mitigation:

• Construction Masters, Inc. continued the demolition of the interior spaces on the 7th Floor.
• CMI has removed all of the items that were to be thrown away from 6th Floor.
• The ceiling demolition is underway on the 6th Floor.
• The removal of cabinets and built in service desk areas that were attached to building on the 6th Floor is underway.

Other Permanent Repair and Mitigation Projects:

• The FEMA Health & Research team has completed preparing the PW versions and Section 406 Hazard Mitigation recommendations for the Resource Center and the Allied Health/Nursing Building.
  • LSUHSC and the Office of Facility Planning and Control have signed off on the recommendations and they are being submitted for review within FEMA which should lead to their formal approval and funds being obligated.
• The Dental School design team has completed their work on the Design Concept for the permanent repairs and Section 406 Hazard Mitigation for the Clinic Building, the Administration Building and the Power Plant. This combined proposal was recently submitted to FEMA for their initial review and comments.

Repair Work at 1542 Tulane Ave.:

• Fire Alarm System:
  • Siemens finished pulling new wires and connecting them to the fire alarm devices on the 3rd Floor along the Tulane Ave. side of the building and down the center corridor.
  • The 3rd Floor fire alarm wiring in the old section has been on hold until the remediation is complete.
    • With the recent completion of the final cleaning and mitigation in the area, Siemens resumed the installation of the new fire alarm wiring and devices on the 3rd Floor in the old section of the building on the Charity Hospital side.
    • Siemens finished the installation of new fire alarm wiring and devices on the 3rd Floor in the old section of the building on the I-10.
  • Siemens finished pulling new fire alarm wiring and terminating the wiring at the alarm devices on the 4th Floor in the old section on both sides of the building.
  • Siemens has started pulling new wiring and connecting the fire alarm devices on the 2nd Floor along the Tulane Ave. side of the building.
• Elevator Repairs:
  • Elevator #1:
    • Stratos Elevator wired the controls for the elevator.
    • The contractor has load tested the elevator.
    • They are run-testing and calibrating the elevator in preparation for requesting an inspection.
  • Elevator #2:
    • Stratos Elevator returned Elevator #2 to active service.
  • Elevator #7:
    • The Position Indicator devices for the elevator have been installed on the 1st Floor.
  • Elevator #8:
    • The Position Indicator devices for the elevator have been installed on the 1st Floor.
    • Stratos Elevator has installed a new electrical disconnect for Elevator #8.
  • Miscellaneous Elevator Repairs:
    • Stratos installed the elevator monitoring station in the University Police office on the 1st floor.
    • Stratos cleaned the granite walls in the elevator lobbies of Elevators #1, #2, & #3.
    • Stratos changed all of the damaged light bulbs for the Position Indicators on all floors for Elevators #1, #2, & #3.
    • They are sealing the penetrations in the elevator control room for Elevators #1, #2, and #3.
• Final Remediation and Duct Cleaning:
  • Duct Cleaning Status:
    • Zimmer-Eschette began coating the duct interiors and sealing the access holes cut into ducts on the 1st Floor in the old section of the building.
  • Remediation:
    • Zimmer finished cleaning on the 3rd Floor in the old section of the building on the Charity Hospital and on the Interstate 10 side.
      • The 3rd Floor passed the visual inspection and air samples were taken.
    • They are in the process of cleaning on the 2nd Floor in the old section on the I-10 side of the building.
      • All the peeling paint was removed from this part of the building.
    • The contractor has begun removing the peeling paint on the 2nd floor (old section) on the Charity Hospital side of the building.
  • Drywall Replacement:
    • The contractor finished floating and preparing the new sheetrock on the 4th Floor for paint.
    • Crews continue to install new sheetrock on the 3rd Floor.
      • They are floating, sanding and preparing the walls for paint as they complete the installation of the new sheetrock.
    • The contractor is sanding and prepping the walls and new sheetrock on the 2nd Floor.
• Painting:
  • The painting contractor completed applying the finish paint in the offices on Floors 5 through 8.
    • The painting contractor completed applying touch-up paint in the offices on Floors 5 through 8.
  • The contractor continues to trim around the windows and walls on the 3rd Floor.
  • They are applying the finish paint on the 4th Floor in the corridor along Tulane Ave.
• Floor Tile Removal:
  • Zimmer finished removing floor tile on the 7th Floor in the old section of the building.
  • The contractor finished removing floor tile from the 6th Floor in the old section.
  • The contractor finished removing floor tile on the 5th Floor in the old section of the building on the Charity side.
    • The 5th Floor passed visual inspection and samples were taken.
  • The contractor finished removing floor tiles in the stairwells along the Tulane Ave. side of the building.
• Ceiling Tile Replacement:
  • The contractor finished painting and trimming the ceiling grid on the 5th through the 8th Floors.
  • The crews finished painting the ceiling grid on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Floors.
  • The contractor is installing new ceiling tiles on the 6th Floor.
• Network Upgrades:
  • Trison Constructors installed the new 30A NEMA - L6 power outlet for the network closet on the 6th floor (Room 655).

Repair Work at the Dental School:

• Permanent Roof Replacements:
  • The contractor has completed the installation of the 1st ply of the new two ply system on the roofs of the Clinic and Administration Buildings.
  • They are testing for water intrusion into the underlying layers of the roofing system that might have resulted from the leaks during the heavy rains in February.
  • The contractor has been asked to prepare and price three additional cost proposals.
    • Sealing gaps discovered at the parapet walls.
    • Removal of two exhaust vents no longer in use on the Administration Building roof.
    • Addressing new penetrations in the roofs that will accommodate new security cameras and related wiring.
  • Work is expected to begin on the Power Plant roof next week.

• Temporary Bookstore:
  • Sherlocks Construction completed the installation of the storefront at the main entrance to the temporary bookstore.
  • They completed the painting in the vestibule, installed the door hardware on the entrance doors to the side offices, and painted the door frames.
  • Sherlocks waxed the tile floors in the vestibule near the temporary bookstore and moved the Kell's Exhibit into position at the right of the entrance.
  • They received and installed the new circuit panel recently which provides power to the temporary bookstore and several outlets on the north side of the Library.
  • Sherlocks cored the holes in the floor to run power to the cash registers from below.
• Elevator Repairs:
  • Elevator #8:
    • Schindler installed the top and bottom limiters on the elevator.
    • Schindler continued adjusting the equipment and the ride of the elevator.
    • The metal panels have been installed inside the elevator cab.
  • Freight Elevator:
    • Repair parts needed to address the water damage from the roof leaks have been ordered.

• Demolition:
  • HDC Building 119 (Barracks)
    • Work not yet started. Contract Completion – On or before 3/21/08.
  • HDC Administration Building 138 (Barracks)
    • Work not yet started. Contract Completion – On or before 3/21/08
  • HDC Building 124 (Day Care)
    • Building and slab removed.
    • A water leak from an old pipe is being repaired by the N.O. Sewerage and Water Board.
    • Final grading and seeding has been completed.
    • Contract Completion – On or before 4/11/08.
  • HDC Building 180 (Library)
    • Building and slab removed.
    • Final grading and seeding has been completed.
    • Completion – On or before 3/14/08.
    • Time extension may be requested.
  • HDC Building 100 (Storage Building)
    • Work not yet started.
    • Contract completion – On or before 4/25/08.
  • Storage Barn
    • Building removed.
    • Grading work remains to be done.
    • Contract completion – On or before 3/14/08
    • Time extension may be requested.
  • Disposal Facility
    • Work not yet started.
    • Hazardous materials are still locked in the building and LSUHSC is handling the disposal.
    • Contract completion – On or before 4/25/08.
  • Auto Shop
    • Work not yet started.
    • Contract completion – On or before 4/25/08.
  • Green House
    • Structures and foundation removed.
    • Grading and seeding remains to be completed.
    • Contract completion – On or before 3/14/08.
    • Time extension may be requested.
• Security:
  • Securitas continued working on the installation of new security equipment at the Clinic Building.
    • The intercom system has been installed with speakers at each entrance to the Clinic Building.
    • Crews are working on installing the cameras that will be located at the building entrances.
      • They installed the cameras and the intercoms at the loading dock and at the Clinic Building entrance facing Navy Pkwy.
  • Securitas wired the security cameras mounted on the four corners of the Clinic Building roof and the cameras are operational. 
• Misc.:
  • The temporary ATM has been installed outside of the Administration Building elevator lobby on the 3rd Floor breezeway. 
    • It is not yet in service.

MEB Roof Replacement:

• Crawford has completed installing the new wood on the perimeter of the parapet wall on the main roof. 
• They have completed installing the flashing that overlaps the wood around the parapet wall.
• The crew has replaced all of the roof drains on the main roof and started working on the drains located on the roofs of the penthouses.

Downtown Landscaping Project:

• Crews completed the installation of the irrigation pipe and sprinklers on the Perdido St. Side of the Residence Hall.
  • They installed the wiring for the electric irrigation valves.

• The installation of irrigation pipe and sprinklers on the Bolivar St. side of the Residence Hall has started.
  • Crews installed one half of the 2nd irrigation station on the Bolivar St. side of the Residence Hall.
  • Crews completed the installation of the electric irrigation valve control wire to the location where it will enter building for connection to the controller.
• They installed the irrigation controller for the Pocket Park located in Student Parking Lot # 2 and connected the control wires to the valves and the controller.
• Two holes were bored in the Residence Hall concrete wall on the Bolivar St. side.
  • One was for the irrigation control wires and the other for the electrical conduit serving the new bollard lights. 
  • Conduit was run through both holes and connections were completed.
  • The irrigation wires were pulled inside of the building.
  • The control wires for the Residence Hall irrigation valves were connected to the controller located in the 'C' Tower laundry room.
• Power was connected to the irrigation controller for the Pocket Park in Student Lot # 2 and the controller was activated. 
  • Water was run through the Pocket Park irrigation stations to flush the pipes and sprinklers preparing for the installation of the sprinkler heads.
• Crews installed a 20 ft. 'Drake' Chinese Elm in the Student Parking Lot # 2 Pocket Park. 
  • They installed nozzles on the sprinklers and activated the system to water the tree automatically three times daily.
• Crews completed preparing holes in the MEB and Allied Health/Nursing sidewalk planters for the installation of new trees next week.

Downtown Campus – 1st Floors:

• The State Fire Marshal has required that we take measures on the unoccupied 1st Floors and basements of the buildings on the downtown campus. This work will insure that the existing sprinkler systems will function properly while we wait for the permanent repairs to be designed, bid, contracted and completed.
  • In the majority of the buildings, the most cost effective method of accomplishing this goal is to re-install ceiling tiles into the existing ceiling grid on the 1st Floor.
  • Trison completed installing the temporary ceiling tiles in the MEB, the Residence Hall, the CSRB, the Resource Center and the Allied Health/Nursing Building.
  • Trison completed the installing ceiling tile in the front portion of the Lions/LSU Clinic Building on the Bolivar and Gravier Street side of the building.
  • Installation of ceiling tile continues on the back side near the loading dock area.
  • Trison continues to install ceiling tiles in the last 5 rooms (by the loading dock area) and in the lobby on the 1st floor of the Lions/LSU Clinic Building.

Exterior Lighting Project:

• Frischhertz has installed the new electrical service at the exit of the 440 Perdido St. parking lot and three of the new light poles are connected and lit.
  • Frischhertz has aiming the new lights that were installed in the parking lot.
• The old lights in the 440 Perdido St. lot that were mounted under Interstate 10 have been removed.
  • The new lights are being installed in the same locations.
• Frischhertz pulled the electrical cable in Student Parking Lot #1 and dressed out the poles in preparation for their installation.
  • All of the new light poles in Student Lot #1 have been wired.
  • The new electrical service is being built at the entrance to the lot.
  • The switch over to the new service should take place early next week.
• The electrical conduit for the new bollard lights on the Perdido St. side of the Residence Hall has been installed.
• The contractor removed all of the mud and debris from the light pole sites at Student Lot #1, the 440 Perdido St. Lot, and the Residence Hall Lot.

We encourage you to follow the details of our progress through the daily updates which are posted on the web site.