Building Blitz Under Way At NCCU

In addition to fixing two mold-infested dorms, crews are busy working on plenty of other projects at

N.C. Central University

, where the sounds of hammers and orange cones and fences are part of the scenery.

"I think just passing through this campus today, you'd have to take away there's something special going on," chancellor James Ammons said of the multimillion-dollar building blitz.

There are currently 20 construction projects under way, including two dorms and a science complex.The university is adding 1,000 parking spaces that will come in handy with the expected growth.

In the last three years since Ammons' arrival, enrollment at N.C. Central has increased nearly 30 percent. The chancellor said the construction will help attract new students and professors.

"Being able to show them the kind of facilities they'll work in with our students, it will give us a competitive edge," he said.

Campus construction is expected to last through mid-2007 at a cost of $120 million.Most of that funding comes from the 2000 higher education bond referendum.

Ammons insists the building blitz is already paying off.

"Now North Carolina Central University is a house hold name," he said.

Wednesday, Ammons cut the ribbon to mark the reopening of B. N. Duke Auditorium.