Add as a preferred source on Google

Construction at Texas University Causes Small Fire

  • By Matt Jones
  • 04/28/21

Renovations to the Moody Coliseum on the campus of Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas, resulted in a small fire on Tuesday night. The Abilene Fire Department responded to the call at about 10:30 p.m. and extinguished the flames without incident.

The fire was located in an upper area of the structure that was under construction; university officials said that it was on rebar near the roof. Several firetrucks arrived at the scene. Firefighters were able to put out the fire before it caused any significant damage, and there were no injuries reported.

The department estimated the damage at about $5,000. University spokeswoman Wendy Kilmer said that the fire was related to ongoing construction, but its exact cause—as well as its effect on construction moving forward—is still under investigation.

Renovations to the Moody Coliseum began in December. Upgrades to the 50-year-old sports arena will include extra leg room, larger seats, an added hospitality room, and accessibility upgrades. In order to improve the comfort of event attendees, the arena’s capacity is being reduced from about 4,100 to about 3,600. The project is scheduled for completion in August 2022.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • El Paso District Breaks Ground on New Elementary School

    The Canutillo Independent School District in El Paso, Texas, recently announced that construction has begun on a 119,000-square-foot elementary school, according to a news release. The district partnered with Pfluger Architects, Carl Daniel Architects, and LDCM Solutions on the new Davenport Elementary School, which has an expected completion date of 2027.

  • DLR Group Appoints New K–12 Education Practice Leader

    Integrated design firm DLR Group recently announced that it has named its new global K–12 Education leader, Senior Principal Carmen Wyckoff, AIA, LEED AP, according to a news release. Her teams have members in all 36 of the firm’s offices in the U.S., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Europe, and Asia.

  • Spaces4Learning Trends & Predictions for Educational Facilities in 2026: Part II

    As education leaders look toward 2026, the design of K–12 and higher education facilities is being reshaped by powerful, converging forces. Survey respondents point to the rapid growth of Career and Technical Education, deeper alignment with workforce and industry needs, and the accelerating influence of AI and emerging technologies.

  • Photo credit: Elkus Manfredi Architects

    University of Virginia Selects Design-Build Team for New Residential Complex

    The University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Va., recently announced that it has selected a design-build team for a new upper-class residential development on campus, according to a news release. Capstone Development Partners—in partnership with Elkus Manfredi Architects and the Hoar Construction/Hourigan construction team—will move forward with the three-building, 310,000-square-foot housing facility.

Digital Edition