Gilbane Building Company Begins Renovations at Hood College Library
Frederick, MD – March 2020 – The Beneficial-Hodson Library was originally built and opened to Hood College students in 1992. Almost 30 years later, the functionality of libraries is changing and the need for paper periodicals is no longer necessary. The significant space that once was needed for book stacks can now be replaced with collaborative learning environments where students work and learn in groups.
There will be complete renovations to the first and second floors of the library in addition to study rooms throughout the third floor. These renovations will include major upgrades to the HVAC/MEP systems, as well as glass walls, a café and seminar-style classroom space. There will also be two new curtainwall systems, adding a significant amount of natural light to the building.
The projected cost of the renovation is $6.2 million dollars. The State of Maryland has committed $2.9 million to launch the project. Project Executive, Gary Orton, is a Frederick-native and says, “Gilbane has more than 40 employees that live in and around Hood College and Frederick County and we are always proud to be able to support and give back to the communities in which we work and live.” Additional funding will come directly from grants and individual philanthropy.
Hood College has been established for more than 125 years. The college was officially charted in 1897, followed by a name change after a 28-acre land donation from Margaret Scholl Hood. The College is widely recognized for its undergraduate and graduate degree programs and emphasizes critical thinking, communication and collaborative skills, preparing students for their careers.
Hood College prepares its students to excel in meeting the personal, professional and global challenges of the future. The school thrives to equip students for lives of responsibility and leadership which will be reflected in the library’s major renovations in 2020.
The library will remain closed during renovations through the 2020 spring and summer semesters. Library staff will be available to retain access to the general collection to pull requested materials for patrons as needed. The Beneficial-Hodson Library and Technology Center is set to re-open November 2020.
About Gilbane Building Company
Gilbane Building Company provides a full slate of construction and facilities-related services—from preconstruction planning and integrated consulting capabilities, to comprehensive construction management, close-out and facility management services—for clients across various markets. Founded in 1870 and still a privately held, family-owned company, Gilbane has more than 45 office locations around the world.
Gilbane’s Mid-Atlantic offices are in Philadelphia, PA; Baltimore, MD; Arlington, VA/Washington DC; Richmond, VA and Raleigh and Charlotte, NC. Collaborating with clients in the region for more than 45 years, Gilbane serves diversified market sectors. Representative regional clients include Johns Hopkins University, University System of Maryland, Frederick Memorial Hospital, Anne Arundel Medical Center, Enoch Pratt Free Library and McCormick.
For more information, visit www.gilbaneco.com.