FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Tom Uribes

April 4, 2004 (Updated-August 28, 2004)

(559) 278-5366 or 246-1717

NOTE: For previous press releases, background and artist’s rendition of the Science II Replacement Building visit www.FresnoStatenews.com.

Fresno Bee Story on Fresno State's Science II Center

Click on current photos (August 2004) for large resolution version.

Building Up Science The Science II building at Fresno State, scheduled for completion around Christmas, is merely a steel-and-glass beginning for a larger vision in the mind of Dean Kin-Ping Wong of the university's College of Mathematics and Science. Wong and the university are on their way to building the Central California Science Center. Wong sees it as a regional place for teacher education in the sciences, including continuing education for established math and science teachers.  More from Fresno Bee story...

Virtual View Below

Science II Update: Dream Takes Shape as Construction Is on Schedule for 3-Building Project

Masonry work was completed Wednesday (March 31) for Building A of the $22 million Science II project now under construction at California State University, Fresno as the campus sets its sights on the academic jewel scheduled to open for the spring 2005 semester.

Rising rapidly between Barstow and San Ramon Avenues, next to the Downing Planetarium on the northeast end of campus, the three-building complex will include 100 faculty offices mostly from the College of Science and Mathematics but also the entire College of Social Science’s Criminology Department.

The new Department of Justice Crime Lab sits to the east of the Science II Building and work on the Downing Planetarium Museum will also begin soon as the dream for a state-of-the-art science center takes form at Fresno State.

Dr. Kin Ping Wong, science and mathematics dean, said the excitement is growing, recalling the movie, “Field of Dreams.”

“‘Build it and they will come’,” Wong said. “We are excited about building a science center at Fresno State and the Science II Building is the major anchor. We are looking forward to bringing many people together to provide this wonderful resource and treasure for scientists of all ages.”

Gary Wilson, director of Facilities Planning at Fresno State, is pleased with the project’s progress.

"Based on the current schedule, we are anticipating a completion date of January 2005," Wilson said.

Lewis C. Nelson and Sons of Selma is the project construction company. Nelson is hiring about 20 subcontractors for the work. Wilson said the actual construction price tag is $16,595,000.

With the installation of concrete block walls in Building A, only 10 percent of the framing remains to be done there, Wilson said, while 75 percent of the rough plumbing, mechanical and electrical work has been accomplished.

The roof for Building A is slated for completion by the end of April 2004 and will be followed by interior framing and finishes.

Structural steel erection work including masonry for Building B will be completed later this month, paving the way for rough plumbing, mechanical and electrical work.

The steel erection and masonry for Building C will start next week, Wilson reported.

Building A will house the Departments of Psychology, Earth and Environmental Sciences including labs for Psychology and Earth & Environmental Sciences.  Building A will also provide one Mathematics Computer Lab. Building B will provide replacement classrooms for instruction currently being held in the San Ramon Buildings. Building B will also house the College of Science and Mathematics. Building C will be the faculty Office wing including the Criminology Department.

Wilson also said that work will start this month on the on the 5,000-ft Downing Planetarium Museum, which will be located north of the existing Planetarium building.

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Copy prepared by University Relations student intern Ravneet Padda. 

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