Story by Alexis Schindler, Staff writer 

James H. Richmond Residential College is scheduled to be completed in August.

Murray State is currently working with Pinnacle, Inc. to restore and renovate Richmond College after an explosion in June 2017.

A preliminary investigation was launched  by the Kentucky State Police after the incident.

From there, it was handed over to the Kentucky State Fire Marshal’s Office. The investigation is still underway, but the incident is believed to have been caused by a natural gas leak.

Shawn Touney, director of communication, said the renovation and restoration of the building is currently two weeks behind schedule. However, a plan has been devised to get it back on track.

“We are excited about the current construction project involving J.H. Richmond Hall,” Touney said. “Students will be impressed by the facility once completed. We are very confident that the building and amenities will be well received by the campus community.”

After the explosion, an external engineering firm was brought in by the University to inspect the surrounding buildings’ structural integrity.

“This assessment included all other residence halls located north of Chestnut Street, Winslow Dining Hall, Heritage Hall, Bauernfeind Wellness Center, Stewart Stadium, CFSB Center and the Chestnut Street Pedestrian Bridge,” according to Murray State’s website.

No other structural damage was found by the engineers.

Lacey Quandt, sophomore from Iuka, Illinois, said she hopes the university conducts multiple checks throughout the building.

“I would probably live in it, but it would be my last resort,” Quandt said.

Rianna Farnetti, freshman from Obion, Tennessee, said the building will probably be safer in the future.

“I would consider living in the building despite its past because I feel like extra precautions would be taken to make sure the same incident doesn’t happen again,” Farnetti said. “I hope more service checks will be made to the buildings even throughout the breaks.”