Community Connections
Residence Hall Project Status
Slab on Grade Concrete Placements
WBI will begin slab o grade pours in the beginning of September. There will be three slab on grade placements that will require large quantities of concrete (150 cubic yards or about 15 concrete-truck loads) and longer than usual work hours. WBI has worked with their subcontractors to plan the delivery and pump placement of concrete first thing in the morning through early afternoon. After the concrete is pumped onto the floor, the concrete must “set up” throughout the afternoon before being finished through the use of gas-powered trowels. The entire process, from concrete delivery to completion could take approximately 12-14 hours (7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.). After 5:00 p.m. the primary construction noise will be the gas-powered trowels which present a lawn mower-like sound.
Salem State College and WBI will notify the community through emails and website updates 3 days in advance of a placement. At this time, concrete placements are not expected to occur on weekends. However, concrete placement is weather dependent and may be re-scheduled. Notification will be made if a placement is rescheduled.
Safety Lighting
The next phase of construction work on the Residence Hall requires security and safety lighting. In accordance with industry standards and good construction practice, Walsh Brothers Inc. will install temporary lighting on each floor as soon as the floor steel is complete. This minimum level (60 watt) lighting will be illuminated 24 hours per day to provide a safe and secure work and campus environment. The temporary lighting will be in place until the permanent lighting is installed and will be less visible as the building is enclosed.
Truck Traffic
Construction-related trucks are entering through the north Entrance located across the street from Salem Diner and exiting out the south Entrance (by right-turn only) located behind the Enterprise Center. As the building progresses, the trucks will exit out the north entrance. The contractor has notified subcontractors that trucks are prohibited from Raymond Road and from Broadway between Loring Avenue and Canal Street.
Fast Facts
Location: Central Campus, between the Enterprise Center and current Residence Hall
Cost: $57.5M, financed by bonds and student fees
Partners: MSCBA, DiMella Shaffer Architects, and Walsh Brothers, construction managers
To meet the demand for on-campus housing and to remain competitive with other colleges and universities in the region, Salem State College must increase its residential capacity to 50% of the current, full-time undergraduate population. The college, with the assistance of the Massachusetts State College Building Authority (MSCBA), conducted a feasibility study that recommended a second residence hall at Central Campus. This facility supports a better quality of life for students and will help reduce the number of commuters traveling to campus each day. This 525-bed residence hall addresses the particular needs of sophomore students with cluster bedrooms, faculty-in-residence housing, and a common dining area. The project has a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification goal.
Contact the Emergency Hotline 24 hours a day/7 days a week at (978) 542-6111 to report urgent issues regarding construction. For questions or general concerns, contact External Affairs at ea@salemstate.edu or (978) 542-7757 during regular business hours.