State museum becoming safer

The renovations, which started in November and are scheduled to be completed in March or April, include a new water sprinkling system and improved emergency exit corridors, said Hartman Lomawaima, Arizona State Museum associate director.

"We know well in advance when certain renovations will be done and we do everything possible not to let anything happen," Lomawaima said.

Changes at the museum stem from the need for fire suppressant systems and improved safety routes in case of fire, he said.

The safety upgrades are required because the building was erected in 1924, before many of today's fire codes were established. The building served as the UA's library until becoming the museum in the mid-1970s, Lomawaima said.

Lomawaima said museum officials monitor construction on a daily basis. He said that three or four weeks ago, an elevator was removed from the building with a large crane at 5 a.m. to eliminate the risk of museum visitors being injured.

This past spring, the Arizona Board of Regents approved a $24.5 million renovation budget for the museum. The state museum is currently undergoing a Life Safety Upgrade Program to inform museum officials about remodeling and expanding the building. Information from the upgrade program, which will be obtained next month, will tell museum officials the feasibility of further renovation and expansion.

Australian Penny Briggs visited the museum yesterday during her weeklong stay in Tucson. Briggs said her visit was not hindered by the museum renovations.

"Once you're in the door, it doesn't matter that the inside is being renovated," Briggs said. "I came to see the exhibits in the museum."

Some museum workers, however, disagreed with Briggs.

David Diaz, a journalism senior and museum gallery attendant, said noise and ladders give some visitors the impression the museum is closed.

"It's an eyesore and ear sore," said Minerva Castillo, an anthropology senior and museum research collection worker.

Sara Plescia, an anthropology junior, agreed with Castillo.

"I usually see people hanging out in the lobby, and lately, I've seen less people," she said.

The number of museum visitors, however, has not changed since construction began, Lomawaima said. About 70,000 to 75,000 people visit the museum annually, he said.