Overview: A Brief History
July, 1997
Story Construction Co., General Contractor/ Construction Manager from Ames, Iowa, began construction for the project in July and excavation for the basement was completed during August. Concrete footings for the mechanical room and utility tunnel area was the primary construction activity during the month. Load testing for the auger cast concrete piles was performed and drilling for the elevator shafts and deep well system was finalized.
October, 1997
Tunnel walls will be completed and mechanical room basement walls started during the month of October. Stair and elevator shaft walls will also continue. Construction work at the auditorium area will include installing 100 concrete pile caps on top of the auger cast piles.This will provide the foundation system for the high walls at the audience chamber.
December, 1997
This month's picture shows the formwork system being used by Story Construction Co. for the concrete walls on one of the stairwells and the elevator shaft. The walls are placed in six separate lifts starting in the basement and topping out at a total height of 67 feet. Other work for December includes mechanical room basement walls, pile caps at the auditorium, exterior wall backfill and installation of structural steel beams in the mechanical tunnel. Progress was also made on the electrical/ communications manholes and ductbank.
March, 1998
Construction progress was steady during the winter months. Temperatures were above normal for much of January and February, However, the major snowstorm and frequent rains during the month of March resulted in several days when construction work could not proceed.
May, 1998
During May the temporary shoring system was installed at the 40 ft. high proscenium wall opening where the house curtain will be located. This picture shows the horizontal formwork support member being placed on top of the shore tower beams. It is located at the wall opening between the stage and the back stage storage room.
July, 1998
During July, concrete work for the mezzanine stepped seating slabs was completed. The first step was placed on June 30 and the last step (9th level) was placed on July 14. Side walls and columns at the mezzanine level were also installed.
September, 1998
One of the VIP tours given this fall included Mr. & Mrs. Ed Gallagher and Mr. & Mrs. Joe Mitchell shown in this picture. Dale Hofert with Story Construction Co. gave them a birds eye view of the auditorium when he gave them a ride on the 60 foot high Genie lift.
November, 1998
During the month of November the 90 foot long bar joists were installed above the auditorium roof. Several had to be installed using two cranes.
October, 1999
The Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center continues to rise along University Avenue. The Performing Arts Center boasts a 1600-seat main hall auditorium, recording studio, office space for the center and Waterloo/Cedar Falls Symphony Orchestra staffs and reception and green rooms.