FAMU construction about to begin

The recent erection of a chain link construction fence along the Woodruff Avenue side of the Alatex building in downtown Crestview generated excitement among city officials eager to see work begin on the transformation of the historic landmark into a new pharmacy school for Florida A&M University.

After several false starts, including a scare earlier this year when it was thought Gov. Rick Scott might veto the bill that would fund the construction, FAMU officials said construction is expected to begin shortly.

“We should start construction within the next 14 days,” FAMU Director of Government Relations Tola Thompson said Tuesday. “We have submitted building plans to the city and expect to pull permits this week in order to begin brickwork immediately. This contract has already been awarded.”

 “We have received building plans,” confirmed Crestview Administrative Services Director Mike Wing. “We’re in the process of reviewing them.

As the project gears up, Thompson said FAMU has also awarded the contract for the project’s construction manager.

“They will begin advertising for subcontractors in Crestview news outlets as early as next week,” he said.

Thompson said construction on the FAMU Crestview Education Center, as it’s properly called, will take between 10 and 11 months. Classes are expected to start in the fall of 2012.

“We’re happy to hear the news that they’re getting ready to start,” Wing said. “We look forward to work with them and intend to offer any assistance the city can.”