My husband came to visit me at work (and join me for lunch) one day last week. It was the first time he had been inside Ball Hall in a LONG time. After a call from him on his cell phone wondering how to get in (the front entrance still has plywood over the former glass doors and, last I noticed, there was a rather deep-looking trench where the concrete landing used to be), and deciding after some explanation that it would just be easier if I met him out in the parking lot, he made his way in. He thought our ground floor offices were nice (he’d never visited the basement in its former state, so the appreciation I have for the transformation just wasn’t there), but what most impressed him was the first floor, where my office used to be. What surprised me was the immense sense of pride I felt while showing him around… like I was showing off a brand new/remodeled home. “This is our new lobby,” I said, pointing out the design in the hardwood floor/carpet combination and making note of the matching molding. I also took him to the old alumni lounge, which can seat a whole mess of people now with all of its couches and chairs. There are still signs of the former beauty, though. The wainscot that lined the hall remains, painted a pleasant beige color (replacing a rather sick-looking gold). And, the old doors to the office suites were salvaged and re-painted. Overall, the look is much brighter and fresher.
-Tanya
