Over the past couple of weeks, if you have been to the top of 6th West Avenue, you may have noticed orange cones and red danger tape lining the northern side and roof of Ashton Hall. 

What are they for? The cones and tape were placed to help make way for the final renovation work being done on Ashton. 

When Ashton Hall was closed for 2023-2024 academic year, the building went through a series of changes, according to Bethany Davis, Assistant Vice President for Facility Management.

“The Ashton refresh project was approved in spring 2023, with design, permitting, bidding, and material procurement phases of work beginning at that time” Davis said.

The renovation project approved for Ashton called for many changes, some of these are included in the following list from Davis:

“Replace roof; modernize elevator (replace major equipment); replace hot water boilers; replace emergency generator; restore exterior masonry; clean and seal (paint) building exterior; expand 5th floor exercise facility; update interior signage; paint interior common areas; [and] limited updates to first and sixth common lounges.”

Renovations added onto this list in early 2024 are possible due to funding gifted to SPU, like the new flooring that was added for the lobbies on the first and sixth levels and the recently-installed railing around the northern front of Ashton. 

Multiple companies have been working around Ashton to help finish these projects before the end of the quarter. One of these companies, Meyer-Metals, a local subcontractor from Marysville, was hired to complete the railing. 

Other renovations added to Ashton’s revamping which are yet to be finished include outside seating.

“Students can also expect to see additional furniture updates in the first and sixth floor main lounges over the course of the quarter” Davis explained.

Students, therefore, should expect to see orange cones and red danger tape pop up around Ashton Hall during the quarter as these renovations are entering their finishing touches.

“I recently connected the dots that it has been 20 years since I moved into Ashton 2nd East for my first year at SPU, so it is especially meaningful to me that this project and gift ‘sets the table’ for the living, learning, and community formation that students living in Ashton will experience.”