A new roof for the Haugh Performing Arts Center was completed before the start of the fall semester costing over $1 million.
The work was contracted by Best Services Contracting, Inc. from Gardena. The Citrus College Board of Trustees approved $841,316 to the company during its Aug. 21 meeting.
But the cost of upper deck of the roof was not covered by the college.
“They completed it with a unique agreement between Verizon and the college,” said John Vaughan, dean of Visual and Performing Arts. “Verizon practically covered the repair costs.”
In return covering some repair cost, Verizon was permitted to install a cell tower on the roof.
Director of facilities Fred Diamond said Verizon paid over $200,000 to retrofit the upper deck of the Haugh.
After turning his construction plans to the Division of State Architects, the division suggested the building’s height would be ideal for a cell tower.
“You bring your plans into the DSA and they change them,” Diamond said. “They’ve got some audio programs they have to drill the up-per deck.”
The DSA reviews all public building construction for architectural and engineering flaws.
“We’re putting metal up on the top,” said Danny Robles, a journeyman with Sheet Metal Workers Local 105. “It’s called coping — sealing the top of the roof so the water don’t get inside of the building.”
Robles is an Azusa resident who lives down the street from the college. He said he was happy to work so close to home.
“I know there’s a lot of work for our roofers, but I don’t know about sheet metal,” Robles said. “They’re doing most of the work.”
Director of the Haugh Performing Arts Center Gene Barrera said he was happy the project was nearing completion. He also praised the workers’ courtesy.
“They’ve been pretty cooperative and everything,” Barrera said. “They let us keep our windows open and they have to keep off areas around the building for safety.”
