Season 5 Episode 5 - Summer Work with Pete Calamari and Tom Ekegren

We'll start with you, Tom.

There are numerous major projects happening this summer.

Can you walk us through some of the work currently underway and what these projects will accomplish for campus?

Great question.

We have a wide range of exterior projects underway.

Everything from renovating utility tunnels to upgrading domestic water lines, sanitary sewers, and roadways.

On interior projects, we're replacing plumbing systems, electrical switchgear, and roofing.

At the end of the day, all of this work is about improving the reliability and resiliency of campus.

We really take advantage of the summer months to tackle projects that have the biggest impact while fewer students are on campus.

And Pete, inside buildings work is happening that many people might never see, but it's equally as important as the projects that are visible as people walk across campus.

So what are some examples of the behind the scenes improvements taking place this summer?

Yeah, so there's a ton of things we do over the course of the summer.

Some are public facing, some are in the back of the house.

But a big point of focus, particularly in the summer, is what's happening in the winter, right? So we're trying to think one season ahead.

So we have a half dozen steam infrastructure upgrades going on.

And if you're familiar with Ohio State, Ohio State runs on steam.

So this is our window to fix all our heating problems from last year and get ahead for projects of the upcoming cycle.

So there's always that.

Then there's a lot of public space refresh, things like painting, finish work, carpentry, flooring.

And there's a ton of that kind of work going on all across campus, maybe 12 to 15 buildings.

And then our HVAC staff are out very actively, not only addressing the issues that come up over the course of a warm summer, but trying to make upgrades for the spring and the fall when students come back to campus.

So it's been a very busy season for us.

We'll start with you, Tom.

There are numerous major projects happening this summer.

Can you walk us through some of the work currently underway and what these projects will accomplish for campus?

Great question.

We have a wide range of exterior projects underway.

Everything from renovating utility tunnels to upgrading domestic water lines, sanitary sewers, and roadways.

On interior projects, we're replacing plumbing systems, electrical switchgear, and roofing.

At the end of the day, all of this work is about improving the reliability and resiliency of campus.

We really take advantage of the summer months to tackle projects that have the biggest impact while fewer students are on campus.

And Pete, inside buildings work is happening that many people might never see, but it's equally as important as the projects that are visible as people walk across campus.

So what are some examples of the behind the scenes improvements taking place this summer?

Yeah, so there's a ton of things we do over the course of the summer.

Some are public facing, some are in the back of the house.

But a big point of focus, particularly in the summer, is what's happening in the winter, right? So we're trying to think one season ahead.

So we have a half dozen steam infrastructure upgrades going on.

And if you're familiar with Ohio State, Ohio State runs on steam.

So this is our window to fix all our heating problems from last year and get ahead for projects of the upcoming cycle.

So there's always that.

Then there's a lot of public space refresh, things like painting, finish work, carpentry, flooring.

And there's a ton of that kind of work going on all across campus, maybe 12 to 15 buildings.

And then our HVAC staff are out very actively, not only addressing the issues that come up over the course of a warm summer, but trying to make upgrades for the spring and the fall when students come back to campus.

So it's been a very busy season for us.