PINE BLUFF, Ark. — Thanks to a $2 million grant that was given to the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, renovations will soon be underway at the UAPB campus.
The university will be using that money to continue preserving one of its historic buildings.
UAPB's Hazzard building has already gotten a facelift on the outside and is about to get one on the inside the university is about to move into phase two of the renovation.
"We are excited to receive another $2 million from the ANCRC to continue the renovations at the Hazzard Gymnasium. Making sure that we're attempting to bring our facilities to where everybody can take advantage of them," said Carla Martin, UAPB Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration.
The building itself has a big historical significance.
Martin Luther King Jr. spoke there at a 1958 commencement back when it was called AM&N College. Martin explained how that's one of the things that makes it so special.
"We don't want to tear it down. We want to make sure students know what happened there and they can appreciate the historical perspective." Martin described.
The first phase of renovations focused mainly on the outside of the building, now the focus is shifting to the HVAC system and plumbing.
The building was built in the early 50s.
"It is definitely time for some renovations," she said.
Martin said she's thankful for the grant funding to make it happen.
"We just appreciate the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council for making monies like this available for state entities to come in and support the work that needs to be done on the state building," she added.
Soon, the space that houses ROTC and soccer will have a new look for the community to appreciate.
"With us having the gymnasium over there, we can do additional basketball tournaments that don't conflict with our main gymnasium for our athletes. So any opportunity to support panels and workshops, anything that we can do in a large event space, we're here to assist the city in doing that," she explained.
This second phase of renovations hopefully isn't the last. Martin said UAPB plans to apply for grant funding for a third phase later on.