Arboretum, finance buildings to be built in ’06, ’07

JMU soon can expect to see two more new buildings on campus.

Construction is set to begin on a building within the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum and plans recently were approved for a new finance building.

Construction for the new buildings were made possible by private donations to the arboretum, said

Towana Moore, assistant vice president of business service. Moore said the structure will contain a room for educational classes and restroom facilities. The building also will be used for retreats, wedding receptions and meetings.

Moore said construction of the building should have a minor impact on the surrounding environment, adding that the building will have an earth roof so that plants can be planted on the roof, ensuring the building blends in with the rest of the arboretum environment.

The building will be located in the woods section across from the arboretum pond, measuring 2,700 square feet. Construction is set to begin in February 2006 and should be completed in July or August of 2007.

Plans also were approved for a new Finance Building to replace the building that was destroyed last fall.
JMU spokesman Andy Perrine said between 50 and 60 JMU employees were displaced by the fire and relocated to the Court Square building in downtown Harrisonburg. The new building will be constructed across the street from Kinko’s on South Main Street.

"A new building with technological amenities will allow them to do their job with greater ease," Perrine said.

Payroll Transaction Analyst Kathy Waybright, who was displaced from the old financial services building to the temporary location on Court Square, said, "I think it is great that we are getting a new building. We lost a lot in the old one." Waybright said the location of the new building will make it more convenient for people to come to the payroll office.

"Waybright also expressed frustration at having to move locations yet again. "It will be inconvenient to have to move again," she said. "I would like to just stay here and only have had to move once."