Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1940 [PAGE 699]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

696

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

FEDERAL W O R K S AGENCY

PUBLIC W O R K S ADMINISTRATION

[January 16

Washington January 8, 1040 In Reply Please Refer to Projects and Statistics—JAC:shp Docket No. 111. 1745-K Dr. A. C. Willard, President, University Urbana, Illinois.

My

of

Illinois,

TEAR DOCTOR W I L L A R D :

On August 19, when a telegram was sent to you regarding unsatisfactory progress of construction on the University Building at Urbana, our Docket No. 111. 1745-F, the project was 14 per cent complete, and 53 per cent of the time had elapsed. On December 22 the project was 45 per cent complete, and 74 per cent of the time had elapsed. You will recall that in the early stages of construction unusual delays occurred in the preparation of plans and specifications because members of the alumni of the University and University groups made various demands and suggestions, in view of the fact that they had made contributions toward providing the applicant's share of the construction costs and, therefore, felt that they were justified in requesting certain changes in these plans and specifications. In your report to our Regional Director, under date of August 22, in response to our telegram of August 19, you indicated that at a conference held with the general contractor and officials of the University, the contractor agreed to prosecute the work vigorously and to take every precaution to offset anypossible delays in construction. You further stated that the surety company intended to have one of its representatives visit this project once a week and make necessary recommendations to speed up the work, and that by October 1 the completion status would be up to the progress requirements. However, on that date the project was only 22 per cent complete, and 60 per cent of the time had elapsed. It is true that since that date progress has improved but not enough to convince this office that this project will be completed on the scheduled date of May 31, 1940. Our records indicate that as of November 20, the general contractor had caught up in some of the trade work, especially the brickwork, and it was expected that the building would be closed in before extremely cold weather, thus making it possible to proceed wTith interior work during that time. If the various contractors have cooperated, and will continue to cooperate, and there is no delay in the work of the subcontractors, you should be able to complete this project by May 31, 1940. However, unless concentrated effort is made by every one concerned to expedite construction, completion will not be realized on schedule. Furthermore, and as you have been advised by this office, as well as by our Regional Director, Mr. D. R. Kennicott, you can not expect a grant for any work performed on this project after May 31, 1940. Sincerely yours,

J. J. MADICAX

Acting

Commissioner

of Public

Works

After extended discussion of this matter and the effect of the strike of plumbers and steam fitters called on January 2, 1940 (previously reported to the Executive Committee on January 5, 1940, Minutes, page 688), on all new buildings now under construction at the University, the President of the University was directed to reply to the above communication as follows: