Physical Plant Division is performing major renovations to the fifth floor of the Marston Science Library as part of a project taking place over the Spring Break holiday. More than 10,000 square feet of carpet will be removed during the project. The current carpet in Marston is more than 20 years old, dating from the building’s construction. It will be replaced with new carpet containing recycled material. PPD Facilities also plans to strip the old wallpaper, re-paint the interior walls and ceiling with low-VOC latex paint, and re-seal all windows on the fifth floor.
“We wanted to perform these renovations over Spring Break, so that our customers would be inconvenienced as little as possible,” explained PPD Project Manager Rod Clements. “After 20-plus years in a high traffic area, the original carpet had become worn and reached the end of its life expectancy. The new, recycled carpet and environmentally friendly paint reinforce UF and Physical Plant’s commitment to sustainability, and are well-suited aesthetically for a respected student resource such as the Marston Library.”
“The window sealing will prevent moisture leaks into the building, which have been a problem in the past,” said Maintenance Specialist Chris Arters. “Removing the wallpaper and re-painting the walls and ceiling will remove the mold generated from the old, leaky windows, eliminate airborne contaminants, and generally provide a fresher, healthier appearance to the area.”
