This $2.4 million renovation project was, in fact, two separate projects within two separate buildings on campus. The goal was to consolidate the School of Planning, Design, and Construction in the Human Ecology Building. Granger was selected as Project Manager due to the extensive planning required to successfully relocate offices, remodel classrooms, and work around occupied areas within the buildings. Clear, consistent and frequent communications were imperative to realize all the department changes in the space of a single summer recess.
In addition to the challenges of working in occupied spaces on a very tight site, temporary office swapping took place. Granger developed a faculty matrix showing an individual's current location, temporary summer location (if needed), final location, and the storage location for the individual's office furniture and belongings if a summer office was not needed. Management of this information eliminated the need for temporary office trailers estimated to cost $30,000.
Safety issues were exacerbated by the presence of asbestos in both buildings. The most challenging problems were at the Human Ecology Building where all the plaster walls and original ceilings were hot. By assuming responsibility for the abatement work and anticipating complications, Granger was able to save the University over $60,000, not to mention precious time in an already very tight schedule.
