A Plassmann lounge after renovations are completed
Photo Courtesy: Jared Smith
BY: JULIA BABCOCK, CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Plassmann Hall is undergoing renovations that will provide a more-modern learning environment for St. Bonaventure University’s students and faculty.
“[The] second and third floor[s] will be completed by the end of this year,” said Jared Smith, director of Facilities Operations at Bonaventure. “The annex portion of the building renovation will start spring of [2024] and be completed by August [2024]”
Along with the interior, the exterior of Plassmann has also undergone renovations. The windows have already been replaced, and this summer new sidewalks will be installed around the building, according to Smith.
“[There will be] some upgrades to the east side entrance of the building, [such as a] large terrace or patio entrance on [the] Reilly Center side,” said Smith.
Students and faculty agreed that renovations were necessary.
“I honestly just thought the building was a little run down, and it’s right next to Swan [Business Center], so you can really see how aged and dated it is,” said Mary Quinn Mcnaughton, a sophomore English major. “I’m sure Plassmann was once this gorgeous, stunning building, but it’s next to two really nice buildings like the library and Swan, and it makes it just look even worse”
Other students agreed with Mcnaughton’s assessment.
“Our business school obviously looks very modern and nice on the inside,” said Emma Gavazzi, a sophomore English major. “I think they’re just trying to have Plassmann match that, which I appreciate.”
Some faculty said that although work was necessary, they were still sad to leave.
“Dr. Imhoff and I were both very sad to leave,” said Leigh Simone, the department chair for World Languages and Cultural Studies, who had an office in Plassmann last year. “We knew that when we would return what we were coming back to will bear no vestige of what we left.”
The ground floor, second and third floor required complete demolition and renovation, said Smith. In addition to this, a new HVAC [heating, ventilation, and air conditioning] system was installed.
“I found the temperature to fluctuate a lot in Plassmann last year upstairs, especially … the top floor of the building,” said Gavazzi.
Simone said she’d miss the pre-renovated Plassmann.
“There was a quirky charm that I’m going to miss,” said Simone.
babcocjl23@bonaventure.edu
