A new stairwell and carpeting are being added to Richardson this summer as part of an effort to renovate the College's oldest residence hall.
The renovations "are a little more than half done already," Director of Residential Operations Woody Eckels said. "We are shooting for the last week in August to have it completed."
In order to comply with current building codes, a new staircase and additional means of egress will be built on the side of the building nearest Wilder Hall.
The stairwell foyer will lead from the first floor of the residence hall to a ramp outside.
Richardson will lose three rooms -- 103, 203 and 303 -- to make room for the staircase.
The dorm's existing staircase will be converted into a "rated stair enclosure," built with fireproof glass instead of plaster so the open nature of the stairwell will not be lost, Eckels said.
This new structure will allow people on upper floors more time to leave the building in case of a fire.
Additional minor renovations to Richardson include the painting and carpeting of the building's hallways and rooms.
Eckels said the combination of renovations and typical maintenance will cost approximately $800,000 dollars.
The residence hall, which celebrated its 100th anniversary last May, will be ready for residents in the fall, Eckels said.
Every summer, the College renovates one to three residence halls, but Eckels said workers are now running on a "very tight schedule" since graduation was a week later than usual.
Richardson was a priority for renovation this summer because of safety issues, Eckels said.
Other residential hall construction projects taking place on campus this summer include a new roof for Russell Sage residence hall and the renovation of Chi Heorot fraternity.
