Over the last few years, John Carroll University has renovated a lot of its campus buildings including Dolan and Pacelli residence halls, Schott Dining Hall, the university bookstore and Grasselli Library. Recently, the construction of the Athletic, Wellness & Event Center (AWE) was completed after three years. The Carroll News compiled stories from the archives about different construction and renovation projects that have taken place over time.
In a July 1984 issue, writer John Jesitus informed readers about the construction of the new RecPlex Center that began in June 1984 and was estimated to be done in a year. The former Military Science building was torn down to make room for this new facility, which cost $4.26 million. The RecPlex Center came with two full-size basketball courts, three racquetball courts, a handball court, an indoor track and upgraded locker rooms.
The article also revealed that the Student Activity Center was going to be renovated and connected to the new RecPlex with a glass atrium. The remodeled first floor had a relocated bookstore, while the dining hall and meeting spaces were consolidated.
In a story from February 1987, writer Bridget Brett reported that the St. Francis Chapel began construction in January 1987 after the project had been delayed for six months. The hold-off happened because the funds raised for it couldn’t match the bids made for the original design, causing the design to be revised. It was predicted that the $1.17 million project would be completed by Labor Day. The plan was for the chapel to have a maximum capacity of 260 people.
In a publication from September 1988, Staff Reporter Amy Jones discussed the School of Business beginning a $3.8 million project, which included expansion and renovation.
The first phase was a 10,500 square foot expansion, which was estimated to cost $1.7 million. This was built under the walkway leading to the business wing of the Administration Building (now St. Ignatius Hall). The walkway was redesigned as a plaza. The entire first phase of construction was expected to be completed by the end of the fall 1988 semester. The second phase of this project was remodeling the existing business wing, which cost $2.1 million and was estimated to be done by fall 1989.
In an issue from December 1997, Assistant News Editor Clare Taft informed the JCU community about Bernet Hall renovations, which would be completed in time for the 1998-1999 academic year. The $2.5 million project included 29 suites built in the existing three-floor structure, which consisted of two, three, four and six-person suites.
Each suite had its own living room and bathroom, with the larger ones having larger bathrooms and more bedrooms. To maximize convenience for students, bedrooms had separate phone lines, cable televisions and computer hook-ups. These were also found in each living room.
In June 2001, the groundbreaking ceremony took place for the construction of the Dolan Science Center. Then-University President Father Edward Glynn, SJ, Charles Dolan and his wife Helen broke ground. Shortly after, the $66.4 million project officially began. The Dolans donated $20 million for the project that would bear their name.
In a September 2001 story, writer Michelle Todd talked about the construction of the Dolan Science Center, which was the largest project taken on in JCU’s history. The completed product would take up 265,000 square feet of land directly in front of the Administration Building. The projected completion date was fall 2003.
The building that existed before the Dolan Science Center was Bohannon Science Center, which was where the Carroll Expansion Lot now is. An idea that was considered for the future of Bohannon was transforming it into additional campus parking. At the time, there were no solidified plans regarding Bohannon.
In a story from September 2010, Campus Editor Emily Gaffney wrote about the demolition plans for Bohannon Science Center. The building, which was between the Boler School of Business and the Dolan Science Center, had been vacant since January 2009. After Dolan Science Center was built, it was used for offices and storage. Bohannon was going to be torn down, with the Carroll Expansion Lot being installed in its place.
The estimated cost for this project was between $2 and $2.5 million, which would take three to four months. The demolition process couldn’t begin until spring 2011 due to commencement and alumni weekend, as well as having to obtain a permit from the city of University Heights. The university was considering other options for Bohannon, which included a conference center, a general-use building and a residential building. The goal was for the new parking lot to be installed by fall 2011.
John Carroll University continues to work on exciting projects, which currently include replacing several campus houses, a BP gas station, Mr. Tire and commuter parking lot with the Gateway North retail and apartment complex. This construction is estimated to be completed in January 2027.
