'D-block' undergoes major renovations

By: Akela Yarn

Posted: 6/24/09

Scott residence hall is undergoing major renovations, including an extension to better accommodate future ECU students. Scott is located on College Hill Drive off 10th and 14th Streets; it sits beside Aycock Hall and is adjacent to Belk. Scott Hall was built in 1962 and was named after William Kerr Scott, former North Carolina governor and a United States senator. Its only major renovation was air conditioning 20 years ago. The air conditioning is a major reason for the remodeling.

"The air conditioning has reached the end of its life span and, in a building that wasn't built for air conditioning, caused humidity and moisture problems. This is the reasoning for the renovation and extension," said Aaron Lucier, director of housing operations.

College Hill occupies 40 percent of student housing. Scott housed 488 residents. The new Scott Hall will house just over 600, making it the largest residence hall.

It will be a yearlong project and will cost $28.5 million to be funded with housing revenue. Some noticeable features to the upcoming renovation are the change in shape, a new exterior and brand new furniture, finishes and lighting. The outside of the building will get a new face. The building will be extended several feet on multiple sides and an additional wing will be added. It will now be enclosed and circle shaped. Other additions include a new lobby and remodeled basements.

The layout for the original Scott was four rooms with eight people sharing one bathroom. The upgrade will be with joining bathrooms with limited access only through the bathrooms. For increased privacy, the bathrooms will have private toilet and shower stalls.

Jeremy Riesenberg supports the renovation. Riesenberg was the Scott Hall Coordinator for two years. He will now be the coordinator for College Hill Suites but gets the option of returning to the newly renovated Scott when it re-opens.

"It is definitely much needed. There were plumbing problems like flooding and certain dorms had to be shut off because of bad pipes. It will be exciting to see what it looks like," said Riesenberg. As resident coordinator Riesenberg was responsible for supervising the resident advisers, maintaining hall budget, the judicial side as well as participating on campus committees.

Former residents refer to Scott as "D-block," explaining that with chains on the windows and benches in the courtyard it could be a real jail. Lucier cites the flawed architecture of the early '60s as another reason for remodeling Scott and for future exterior remodeling of other residence halls. "We [student living and dining] is doing all we can to make the neighborhood more appealing," Lucier said.

Adam Farmer spent his junior year in Scott Hall. He has strong feelings about his experience and what changes they should make. "[I would change] pretty much everything, specifically better bathrooms and a better heating and air system. If they can make it nicer inside that would be awesome. It got really cold and it was a long walk up the stairs to our room. The student lounge in Scott was horrible, they need a better one," said Farmer. "It will be interesting to see what they do with it. "

Scott will be open for holidays, making it an academic year hall. Scott originally housed only males, some of which were student-athletes. The types of students to be housed in the upgraded hall type has yet to be determined.

The cost is not yet official but will be cheaper than that of College Hill Suites, which is currently at a rate of $4,900 per year, but a little more expensive than the regular housing, which is currently at $4,350 for an academic year.

Parking may be an issue with the construction, prohibiting drivers from parking near or around the construction site. Some parking spaces will be lost with the extension but some will come back along the sides of the building. Campus living and housing say that parking around the other lots as well as the gravel lot across from 14th Street should be sufficient for students once the end of construction nears.

Other renovations to be completed this summer in time for the fall school year are new pipes, vents and air conditioning in Cotten. Aycock and Jones are receiving sprinklers for enhanced safety. Garrett is getting new doors. Aycock is getting new paint and some new furniture. Last summer, the interior of Todd Dining Hall was remodeled.

This writer can be contacted at news@theeastcarolinian.com.