Work on the $50 million Hulman Center renovation continued during COVID-19— with some changes for the construction workers. “They put in all the safeguards, including masks,” said Bryan Duncan, ISU’s Executive Director of Capital Planning and Construction. “We allowed them to use one of the interior restrooms so there would be better handwashing.” Before the renovation, most of the Hulman Center’s building systems and exterior facade were original to when the building opened in 1973. The building’s exterior will be totally renovated. New openings and vision into the event space will improve aesthetics. Areas such as concessions, restrooms, and kitchen will be all new. The project will improve building utility systems, functionality, access and experience for all types of events. A new freight elevator will improve efficiency. “We’re pleased with the progress, especially from the outside,” Duncan said. “You can see the exterior skin is almost wrapped around the building. “I think the new south entrance will be a nice surprise for everyone to see. You can see the framework going up now (in May) and get a feel for it. It’s going to be a major element aesthetically and inside the building, adding square footage.” COVID-19 made planning during the Spring a day-by-day proposition. But the Hulman Center renovation continues as if there will be basketball in November. “We’re not going to say it’ll be 100 percent complete by November, but it’ll be occupiable,” Duncan said. “That’s the way it goes for most construction projects. There will still be some touch-up work to do.”
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