Over the summer FPU spent $500,000 and dedicated hundreds of work hours to 20 homes in the area bounded by Garden, Townsend, Winery and Heaton avenues at the west end of the main campus near Butler Church.
"Not only our classes and professors are excellent, but the places students stay are excellent,"
said Jonathan Yorkowitz, assistant director of residence life.
Renovations included interior and exterior painting, stucco repair and new and improved yard irrigation systems. Most houses received new carpet, linoleum and custom kitchen cabinet work. Bathrooms were also remodeled in several of the homes. Other improvements included new ranges and refrigerators, re-configured rooms, extra closet space, new blinds, updated bathrooms, lighting and entryways, as well as new windows and sliding-glass doors. Some houses received new roofs.
Work began in mid-June and the major effort lasted about 10 weeks. FPU staff did about a third of the project and contracted the rest so students could move in on time. "You have so much more open space, it looks cleaner," said Gary Metcalf, building maintenance supervisor. "We tried to get rid of the old, dated appearance of the houses."
The renovations improve the living and learning environment. "We are on the leading edge instead of trying to catch up," Yorkowitz said. Many of the juniors and seniors who live in the houses are transfers in their first semester at the university. "To have that be their first taste of FPU, before they even go to class, is important," he added.
Staff in student life, facilities and safety and security, as well as the contractors, all worked together to make the project a reality. "It was a very strong collaborative effort," said Pam Schock, assistant dean of student development and residence life.