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Illinois State’s Planning and Construction Commission won final approval Tuesday to begin construction of an additional floor for Watterson Towers.

The need to add the floor to Watterson first surfaced last month, when a review of the original blueprints from the mid-1960s revealed that the residence hall was planned to be 29 stories instead of the current 28.

“We were shocked when we came across the plans,” said Bob Roberts, chair of the planning commission. “But unfortunately leaving Watterson as built is not an option since state building codes require that all campus buildings adhere precisely to approved specifications.”

According to the blueprints, the omitted floor would officially have been the 21st floor, situated between the Clay and VanBuren houses on the south tower, and Marshall and Madison on the north tower. To preserve the unique history of the building, which is among the tallest residence halls in the world, crews will construct the new floor between the existing floors, bringing Watterson to legal specifications and avoiding a hefty $50 fine.

State officials signed off on that plan Tuesday.

“I am excited to see this project come to fruition,” said Roberts. “Watterson has always had a unique story to tell, and we will essentially be adding another page to the book by adding the floor between the existing 20th and 21st floors.”

Adding a new floor between existing floors may seem complicated, but Reeve Marcus, junior professor of construction oversight, assures that such a method is commonplace in major construction projects.

“This is a topic that generates a lot of interest from students in my CSM 486: Enhancing Existing Infrastructure course,” said Marcus. “Master architects have devised ways to prefabricate the new floors next to the existing building. The new floor is then raised by crane to its new resting point, while the upper level is raised via helicopter so the new level can be seated.

“It is a very simple procedure,” he said.

Addressing concerns about upsetting the plumbing, wiring, ventilation, elevators, and stairwells during the move, Marcus assured that “these things generally work themselves out.”

A survey was sent to students in which they could recommend amenities they would like to have available on the new floor. As a result, residents of the new floor will have access to yogurt topping bars, walk-in washers and dryers, cathedral ceilings, and round-the-clock aquariums.

“I am really excited for the new floor to be complete,” said April Stultus, sophomore in the Department of E-commerce Studies. “The new features sound amazing, and there is even talk of housing easing up on the pet policy, so I might be able to bring my ferrets with me! But I hope they don’t allow weasels. They’re gross.”

University Housing is still discussing naming options for the two new floors. The existing houses in Watterson are named in honor of the first U.S. secretaries of state.

“We are hoping to keep with tradition and use the names of 11th and 12th secretaries of state, which would be Livingston and McLane,” said a representative from University Housing. “Though I also really like the names Gordon and Sam if the floors are boys, and Tammy and Amy if the floors are girls.”

The new floor is expected to be completed by April 1, 2015.

Steven Barcus can be reached at srbarcu@IllinoisState.edu.