Restoration project will result in OC entrance closures

A project this summer to restore the exterior wall of the Oakland Center will result in periodic closures of the OC’s west and south entrances (but not both at the same time).

Construction will begin soon on replacing the precast stone material that cloaks the outside of the “serpentine” wall that wraps around the OC, mainly facing North and South Foundation Halls. Work is expected to last until about mid-October.

“We’ll be taking it apart and improving the details, including adding flashing to keep the weather out,” said Susan Riley, a senior project manager with Oakland University’s Capital Planning and Design office. “What’s there now will be replaced with limestone panels that will look very similar.”

As work progresses, accessibility to the OC will be affected. “At times, the west entry and the south entry will be closed. However, one of the two entries will always be usable,” said Richard Fekel, director of the OC.

Later this summer, work is also expected to begin on a project to upgrade the OC’s east entrance, facing O’Dowd Hall.

Fekel said the renovation will make the entrance much more appealing. “The east entrance will be more recognizable from the main campus – for example, there will be new signage identifying the building as the OC. At the same time, we’ll also improve accessibility for the disabled.”

There is no start date as yet for the east entrance project. Updates will be provided as necessary.