This is the 10th edition of "Desk Notes," and it has been delayed repeatedly partly from the press of business but mostly from the fear that if I mentioned the "S" word, it would jinx what has been a wonderful winter (from a Facilities Management perspective).

Notwithstanding global warming data, La Niña effects and Huxley College of the Environment, my grounds maintenance personnel and I are firmly convinced that this wonderful weather was generated by the combined voices of Western Washington University staff and faculty repeatedly chanting "No Snow! No Snow! No Snow!," so thanks to all of you for your contribution to helping FM stretch its maintenance funds and keep its director in bed in the early a.m. and out of trouble (please no bad jokes).

(FM personnel extend their sympathy to all the skiers, snowboarders, sledders and others who enjoy playing in the snow.)

Currently, Facilities Management is the bidding phase of a very large portion of the 2009-'11 biennium minor capital projects program. To date, we have awarded four projects and are on our way to awarding 19 more prior to the start of the summer construction period. An additional eight projects will be awarded during the course of the summer. Some of those projects will jump start their work in May in order to finish prior to the start of classes in September or in order to get out of the way of another contractor coming in later in the summer.

• PW620 HH/WL - Renovation for ATUS is the second crucial phase of creating space in Haggard Hall and Wilson Library for Academic Technology and User Services. We have to get them moved out of the 1940s wing of Miller Hall before we can start the renovation of that wing in the September time frame.
• PW614 - Classroom Mediation will install upgraded mediation (projection and sound systems as well as lecterns and computer controls) into 14 classrooms prior to September. The upgrades will start in late March in classrooms that have been taken off line for that purpose. Classrooms tentatively scheduled for the upgrade in spring quarter are Arntzen Hall Room 5, Bond Hall Room 319 and Parks Hall Room 220. Classrooms tentatively scheduled for the upgrade during the summer are Arntzen Hall Room 18, Parks Hall Room 104, Parks Hall Room 146, Parks Hall Room 228, Parks Hall Room 244, Environmental Studies Room 313, Environmental Studies Room 413, Haggard Hall Room 245, Haggard Hall Room 112, Haggard Hall Room 101 and Humanities Room 110.
• PW625 - Biology Electrical Upgrade. Currently we have a number of buildings that have mixed loads on the Automatic Transfer Switches. These are the switches that activate when the fire alarm panel is alerted and the emergency generator is brought on line. Some non-emergency circuits (primarily refrigeration of samples) are currently hooked into the emergency generator. The city will not allow us to connect additional non-emergency loads to these switches. Therefore, for this project we are adding a 100A ATS for the emergency power and connecting the existing 400A ATS to the optional standby loads. In order to serve the existing and new optional standby loads, we will install new panels and transformers. These new systems are being designed for current and future loads. Also, the project includes upgrading some branch circuits to existing equipment as well as some new circuits.
• PW595 - Buchanan Tower Fire Alarm and Sprinklers Upgrade. This project will add additional fire alarms and a sprinkler system to the original section of Buchanan Towers so that both the addition and the original section will have upgraded fire detection and sprinklers.

Almost all the other contracts will be mobilizing to start shortly after the end of the spring quarter. Some of those contracts/projects will have more impact than others. A few of note are:

• Bill McDonald Parkway/21st St. Signal. In late summer, the city will be installing a traffic signal at this very difficult intersection. That addition will substantially improve safety for pedestrian, bicyclists and vehicle operators transiting that intersection.
• PW598 - Upgrade Tunnel Node TN-15. One of the utility boxes on the north side of Edens Hall is so crowded with steam and electrical lines that it has become dangerous to work in it. We will expand that box and rerout some lines into Edens Hall. Note: There will be jack hammering.
• PW607 - Environmental Sciences Exterior Renewal. This will be the last phase of a multi-biennial effort to seal ES and prevent water intrusion into the building.
• PW608 - Arts Annex and Wilson Library Exterior Renewal. Sections of the Arts Annex and Wilson Library will be cleaned, tuck pointed (that means the joints will be re-grouted where necessary) and sealed.
• PW610 - 32nd St. A Improve Indoor Air Quality. We will be redoing the entire ventilation system to address concerns about the quality of the air in that facility. This project will be intrusive. We will be doing a lot of the work at night and trying to phase the most intrusive aspect of the work one section at a time. We will be providing a complete briefing to the personnel of that facility sometime in late March or early April.
• And, of course, we still have PW465 - Miller Hall Renovation. Dawson Construction is pushing very hard to have Phase 1 completed by Aug. 16. Then, Woodring College will be moving into the newly renovated wing and Dawson can start renovation of the old 1940s wing. The timing of the move is critical in order to get the Woodring College personnel moved and in place prior to the start of the fall quarter.
• We are in the final stages of construction of the Chemistry Addition. This has been a very intrusive project for the students, staff and faculty who use the Chemistry Building, but the end is near. Thanks to all who have helped bring this project to completion and allow expansion of the university's laboratory capacity.
• The Wilson Library Special Collections area is completed. You really should visit this renovated area. Not only does it have a great area to access the collections that Western has, it also has one of the best views of the port on campus. Congratulations to the Library staff and the personnel that made this happen.

This note is running longer than usual. Perhaps I am just giddy with relief at getting through winter. We still have budget challenges in front of us. Perhaps we could use a now-tested way to deflect budget reductions coming from Olympia. Altogether now: "No Cuts! No Cuts! No Cuts! (I can’t hear you) No Cuts! Etc."

Tim