As classes resume, things will be up and down again in Corthell Hall. But over the winter break, the elevators were grounded in the Gorham building that houses USM’s music program.
The elevators in Corthell and one of the elevators in Portland’s Payson Smith Hall were completely upgraded over the winter break.
The upgrades are part of a complete upgrade of all the University’s elevators scheduled to be completed by August of 2002. Overall, the project will cost over $1 million.
There are 35 elevators at USM between the Gorham, Portland and Lewiston/Auburn campuses.
The elevator upgrades closely follow a tragic accident that occurred in Bethel in which an 8-year old boy died.
Last August the boy died in an elevator accident at the Bethel Inn. The boy wedged himself in a 7-inch gap between the door and the gate while playing with his sister. The boy was trapped between the outer door and the gate, and was crushed when the elevator rose.
The elevator had been inspected prior to the tragedy, but the defect was not reported to the state. Since that incident, 70 elevators, including the one in Bethel, have been shut down for violating spacing standards between the doors.
None of the elevators at USM have been shut down.
Dave Early, executive director of Facilities Management, said the elevator upgrades have nothing to do with that incident. They are in response to a change in state law that took effect in 1999 and the upgrades have been taking place since that time.
Early said the upgrades will be completed this August.
All of the elevators but one, on 68 High St., will be upgraded. That one had to be replaced because it was too old and needed too much work, said Early. Already, over $300,000 has been spent on the renovations. By the time all of the work is completed, approximately $1,000,000 will have been spent, according to Early.
Staff Writer Missy Remillard can be contacted at: [email protected]