Remodeling the remodeling process

Another boost to the remodeling needs of campus has come from Physical Plant’s Project Administration Center, a unit created in 1996 to consolidate and streamline the process for projects under $100,000.

Before the center’s creation, a significant backlog of such projects existed. But in its first two years, the center has processed 1,413 requests for remodeling projects and shepherded 528 of those to completion. Another 562 are currently in construction, design or assessment.

“Last year, we did $4.7 million worth of remodeling for the campus, which is $1.2 million more than in any of the previous five years,” says Physical Plant associate director Faramarz Vakili.

Prior to the center’s creation, architects and engineers in the Department of Planning and Construction not only designed projects, but did the paperwork, dealt with the finances and administered the jobs. Physical Plant’s role was only as the “construction company.”

Now through the center a team of three project administrators and two construction field representatives manage remodeling projects. Architects and engineers, now classified under Physical Plant, are able to concentrate on the technical needs of the projects rather than customer relations and project management.

“We have a systematic and accountable process for all parties concerned,” says Vakili. “At times people may feel we aren’t responding quickly enough, but we are doing our best with our existing resources and the high volume of requests.”

Each project must go through specific phases, beginning with an assessment to define scope and feasibility. Planners examine the compatibility of the project to existing building systems, established codes and standards, as well as cost/benefit considerations.

“The remodeling projects of today can be the maintenance headaches of tomorrow,” Vakili notes. “We all must make sure that the jobs are done properly, according to code, with the input of professional architects and engineers.”

Physical Plant director John Harrod notes that results of a recent survey indicate that PAC is exceeding customer expectations and satisfaction in the quality of the work and meeting project goals. “We’ll continue to build on our success by focusing attention on communication, cost estimating and project timeline management,” Harrod says.

For more information on the Project Administration Center, call 265- 4598 or e-mail the center at physical plant.pac@mail.admin.wisc.edu.