News

Delays kept Underground under duress 

By Christian Schmidt
The Daily Cougar

The floodwaters were relentless and unmerciful. They consumed the popular University Center Satellite in a matter of hours. Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, midday soap operas - all gone. 

The Satellite sustained more damage than any other building on campus by the flooding caused by Tropical Storm Allison in June 2001. The underground building was nearly destroyed during the storm. Only the concrete structures remained. 

The cleanup began within days. During the week the University was closed, crews pumped water out of the building, removed debris and began tearing out destroyed materials.

The first date given by University officials for the reopening of the satellite was October 2001. Just days after the floodwaters receded, University officials planned to have part of the Satellite open within months.

Other projects, particularly efforts to repair Agnes Arnold Hall and the University Center itself, forced delay of the Satellite project, as it was given a lower priority.

As weeds grew throughout the ruined building and the Satellite stood empty, nothing was done to repair the building for months. The next deadline was for part of the Satellite to reopen in January 2002. Once again, that didn't happen. An argument between University officials and Chartwell's officials was in part responsible for the delay.

Chartwell's felt that it should have greater control over the new layout the building would have. Trouble with funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which was supposed to pay for repairs to the damaged building, also provided further delays.

Work didn't begin at all until late Fall 2002, and once again more delays plagued the project. University officials blamed delays in funding and projects generally taking longer than expected.

For a year, fences have stood around the building as workmen finished gutting the building and began the process of rebuilding the Satellite.

On September 16, 2002, part of the Satellite was opened to students. The Games room, complete with brand-new pool tables and a modernist-style renovation was opened. The convenience store also opened that day.

And today, the entire Satellite (save the main entryway, which could be opened by late January) is open to students, faculty and staff.

All in all, it took 18 months and numerous deadlines, none of which were met. But it's here, it's open and the tacos are ready.

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