Category Archives: Halle Library

Once again, Provost Kim Schatzel has sent around an update about the busted pipe in the basement in Halle (which I include below), and it would seem that the library and physical plant people are on top of it all and making good progress on the repairs.  Two things that occur to me now:

• I’m pretty impressed with Schatzel’s swiftness and directness about keeping people informed about all this.  It bodes well, IMO.
• There’s been some kind of problem with water, plumbing, leaking, etc. in the auditorium in the library for years, and along with this issue, I do have to wonder if there isn’t some kind of serious contractor/construction issue that is now making itself visible.  I’m not sure there’s much recourse at this stage since the building has been open for at least a dozen years now, but this might be something to follow.

Schatzel’s message after the jump:

Continue reading →

When I received new Provost Kim Schatzel’s email about the busted plumbing in Halle Library last night (see below for the full text of the message), I was reminded of a conversation I had with a neighbor of mine once.  This guy is a retired foreman from the Ypsilanti Community Utility Authority, Ypsi’s water and sewer provider.  For some reason, we were having an “over the backyard fence” conversation about remodeling basements and he was explaining to me why it’s never a good idea to spend a lot of money on a project like that.  ”We got a saying in the sewer business, Steve,” he said: “Shit goes down.”

The short version is it it seems a big drain pipe fell off of some supports in the basement and bad things happened.  Among other things, Provost Schatzel’s email says that the repairs are estimated to take a month (which I interpret as meaning at least a month, maybe more), and, during this reconstruction period, we can expect noise and “possibly odors.”  Ugh.  It sounds like it is just one of those terrible things that sometimes happens, but it also sounds like it’s going to be pretty unpleasant in Halle for a while.

Anyone working over there have any more insight?

By the way, I think this is the first email I’ve received from our new provost.  Welcome aboard, Kim!  See the full text after the jump.

Continue reading →