Roof repairs have begun again in the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee’s Sandburg’s North Tower after initial delays. The repairs this fall have led to a closure of the 25th and 26th floors, and are part of a cycle of repairs that keep UWM dorms viable places to live.
The roof project started mid-October after being delayed for a year. The roof was originally scheduled to be fixed during 2012. Because the university had decided to repair the North Tower windows during fall 2012, the roofing project had to wait so that the two projects would not interfere with each other. Difficulty finding a contractor to work within UWM’s budget also suspended the project from starting prior to the school year.
To avoid any inconveniences to residents of Sandburg hall, the housing office decided to close the North Tower’s 25th and 26th floors altogether. Lower demand for dorm housing this year will keep the floors closed for the entire 2013-2014 school year.
Problems associated with the weak roof first became evident in 2012 in a small maintenance room above the two floors. The room had a faulty fire alarm and water damages. Room N2620 also had a decent amount of ceiling damages due to leaks, which kept the room closed this previous school year. Other possible internal damages will be addressed by UWM maintenance after the roofing repairs are complete.
The contractors responsible for roof repairs are the PhD Roof Doctors from Fredonia, WI. The project will cost the University about $292,000, which includes costs for the roofing contractor, lightning protection, and design/management.
Another roofing project took place in the West Tower in 2011. The roof was finished within four to five weeks. This project is expected to be completed in a similar timeframe. It is early in the project, but things are going well so far, according to UWM Housing Project Manager Dave Fisher.