Paige Hall under construction

In an effort to bring unity to the education department, Paige Hall, one of Tufts' most historic buildings, is undergoing interior renovations. The construction, which began this summer, will result in new bathrooms, minor floor plan changes, and electrical upgrades to make the building more suitable for use as classrooms and faculty offices.

For a department that has been moved and split into two buildings, the promise of new, consolidated facilities is worth waiting for some renovations to be completed, Education Department Administrator Patricia Romeo said. "Once that major renovation is over, we won't be moving at all," Romeo said. "We know the outcome is going to be fabulous."

Renovations to the building were tailored to the needs of the new tenants, according to Vice President of Operations John Roberto said. At the moment, the Department of Education is housed in both Paige Hall and 120 Packard Ave, but it will be consolidated once the construction is finished.

The focus of the renovations is on electrical upgrades, new carpet, and new ceilings for the 110-year-old building. This construction isn't as disruptive as the work done over the summer, and workers try to minimize the noise in the academic quad.

"The building was originally a dorm, so the bathrooms are being modernized to be more compatible with today's use," Roberto said.

The first floor is being completely refurbished as well, in order to house the Curriculum Resource Center for education students. Those renovations are expected to be complete by December.

Two large faculty offices are in the process of being converted into three smaller offices and all the computer resources will be consolidated into one room. Most of these floor plan renovations took place before the beginning of the fall semester.

The next phase of interior renovation will take place over the semester break, and will take place in the offices that are occupied during the semester. "It's not as disruptive as a renovation during the academic year," Roberto said. "We'll renovate the space while it's freed up."

The occupants of Paige Hall have noticed slight inconveniences from the construction, but are optimistic about the outcome. "There's a lot of normal construction dust and noise," Romeo said.

L/R Construction is the firm working on the first floor and has been there about three weeks, according to L/R construction worker Brian Keenan said.

According to Romeo, Paige Hall is long overdue for these renovations and the technological upgrades are will be a welcome change. "Tufts has a problem finding space," Romeo said, "so they try very hard to update."

Paige Hall's long-time tenants, the psychology department, vacated the building last year in favor of their new facility on Boston Ave. Though they are not moving to a brand new building, the education department hopes to secure a similar kind of unity from Paige Hall that the Psychology Department has gained from their new, unified building.

The Department of Education is "delighted" about the changes to their building. "We'll be a one-unit department again," Romeo said.

The education department has moved frequently before finally receiving a permanent home at Paige. "Having most of the faculty at 120 Packard has been difficult for faculty, staff, and students," Romeo said. "Communication will be better if the department is all in one building."

Built in 1892 as housing for students of the now-defunct Crane Theological School, the building was named after Lucius R. Paige, a trustee of what was then Tufts College. Paige Hall was constructed at the same time as Miner Hall, and the two buildings later became the site of classes for Jackson College between 1910 and 1915. The Fischer Arcade, which links the two buildings was added in 1929.

Together, Miner and Paige Halls frame one of the most famous entrances to Tufts, the Memorial Steps. Any renovations "would certainly acknowledge the character of the building," Roberto said.

The only major work that will occur in the future will be a roof replacement, which is on the deferred maintenance list. In keeping with the preservation of the building's character, "the roof would be slate," Roberto said.