FSU - Ringling Museum of Art-Campus-Wide Improvements

The work at the FSU-Ringling Museum of Art also included a series of much needed improvements to the entire campus infrastructure and comprised the installation of new reinforced concrete pipe for the entire 64 acres of land to insure proper site drainage. The work included the construction of three large ponds as part of the drainage system featuring a special sand filtration system to purify the water before it runs off to Sarasota Bay. A pedestrian bridge was constructed of pre-cast concrete sheet piles consistent with the same material used at the Tibbals Learning Center. The Museum’s HVAC systems were updated with the installation of a chiller loop that connected five existing buildings and four new buildings. In addition, a duct bank and fiber optic loop was also installed to connect all of the buildings. This technology will link all buildings with telephone/data/security. An independent Chiller Building was constructed to house two large 800 ton chillers and cooling towers. The facility also now has one large 900 kilowatt emergency generator. Landscaping and irrigation for the entire northeast quadrant of the Ringling Campus was completed including enhancements the Historic Rose Garden. More parking was added north of the esplanade to accommodate the anticipated increase in visitors. The entire area was then newly landscaped and irrigated. For visitor convenience, new bus parking was added along US 41 with a special bus drop-off location on Bay Shore Road. Bay Shore Road was completely remodeled with pedestrian walks on either side providing a friendlier and safer passage for both Ringling Museum visitors and New College Students. The overhead power lines were placed under ground and new street lights added. All of the facilities and grounds remained open and in full operation during construction.