MAINCO to the rescue

Baruch may have another chance at a solution to the frequent escalator problems in the Newman Vertical Campus. MAINCO, the full-service elevator and escalator company, has teamed up with Baruch to take on the challenge of trying to fix the lagging situation.

When the Vertical Campus was built, the original contractors installed a "downgraded" version of escalators to ensure that items were cost-efficient. Instead of operating at a top quality necessary for accommodation, the escalators are a grade below appropriate standards.

According to Carl Aylman, director of student life, the escalators are subject to constant breakdown due to specific interferences. For one, the capacity of the escalators is limited and when overloading occurs, the escalators are likely to shut down. The other issue is that some escalators run in opposition to one another, causing an unwanted clashing effect.

"If you notice the escalators that run from the first to second floors, they operate better and are more consistent in functioning. This is because the escalators were designed in parallel to one another," said Aylman.

There was a request for top-of-the line escalators, but such repair would cost $6 million.

The Dormitory Authority of the State of New York originally assigned Infinity as the maintenance company for Baruch and after five years of service, it was decided that a new line of contractors be hired. Back in the spring, there was a bid for a new contractor that would be able to perform all services needed for repairs. MAINCO was chosen and deemed the company with qualified services at an affordable price.

"There were problems with escalator reliability and we were not having that much luck with Infinity," said Jim Lloyd, vice president of campus maintenance.

MAINCO has serviced the Baruch community for many years with work done on the 23rd St. Building but never on the Vertical Campus until now. With their knowledge of the school's technicalities, they were able to immediately find unsafe escalators and shut them down for repairs.

"The new contract for MAINCO is not yet done due to changes that still need to be done," said Lloyd. "However, MAINCO is still authorized by the General Services in Albany and this company is being reimbursed through the old contract," he said.

"Our only other option besides the escalators is to have them replaced with stairs," said Aylman.