The East Carolina University Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium Southside Renovation consisted of the construction of a 130-foot-tall tower for the addition of a new club, lounge, suite, and press levels. The four new levels are all located above the top of the existing stadium bowl with the club level being 71+ feet above the concourse level. This project has multiple components. The Southside Tower expansion resulted in the creation of 1,000 premium seats through the addition of a new Club Level, Loge Boxes, Standard Suites and Founder’s Suites. The new Club Level has 670 seats and features an expansive club lounge. The press level features media space, including radio and television broadcast and production locations. Improvements to the Ward Sports Medicine Building and Scales Field House provide upgrades for student-athletes.
The entire structure is supported by augered cast-in-place piles and our inspectors had to be close enough to that operation to ensure the piles were installed to the project requirements. This involved being in close proximity of the crane holding a 70-foot-tall auger string and leads, as well as concrete pump hoses that were under high pressure.
Stewart’s Special Inspectors were involved from the beginning of construction. We monitored the installation of the auger-cast piles (including load testing), grade beam system, masonry shafts, and vertical steel construction. Our open lines of communication with our structural designers saved the University time and money on field decisions.
Stewart’s structural steel inspectors had to be diligent with their safety ensuring that robust fall protection measures were in place while checking structural connections, cold formed steel framing, and exterior insulated finish systems, often at great heights. Through these and numerous other inspection tasks completed along the way, Stewart’s team remained vigilant in following safety protocols and we are happy to report that the project was completed with no incidents.
