"The work is almost complete," says John Miller, Director of Plant Services at WPI. " We are at the point now where most of the work is done. What we have left is our 'punch list' which is a checklist of all the small things that we need to go back to touch-up and fix," he added.
Miller say the building is at 95% completion. Students may still see a few workers applying finishing touches in the hallways and lecture halls but the classrooms and most teaching spaces are complete. There are still some areas which need to be carpeted and benches to be installed in the lecture halls.
When asked if the completion of this long project is exciting for him, Miller replied, "The beginning was more exciting. With any project like this you have problems and schedule conflicts that have to be dealt with. After a while it gets trying. It's good that things are almost finished. This had all been a challenge."
Students familiar with the old Higgins Labs may not readily recognize the new interior. In addition to an overall increase of space and a new elevation which faces the quad, there are new utilities, windows, walls, ceilings, carpeting, and fixtures.
Higgins Labs has housed the Mechanical Engineering Department since it was built in 1943, having moved over from Stratton Hall, then called simply "The Old M.E. Building". It was named and dedicated in 1946 in recognition of the generous contributions made by the Higgins family to WPI.
To date over $1.2 million dollars has been raised from WPI alumni for the project which is expected to cost $8.5 million when complete.
There will be a special tour of Higgins Labs during Homecoming on Saturday, September 30, led by John Miller, Director of WPI Plant Services. The tour leave promptly at 11:30am from the Harrington Foyer.
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