Inside Iowa State: Iowa State University

INSIDE IOWA STATE
June 8, 2001

Coming to a lot near you: building construction

by Anne Krapfl
Take frequent hikes around campus in the coming months; most likely, there's a new building going up near you. While state cuts to Iowa State's operating budget for FY02 probably will result in program and position reductions, the university's construction plans are moving forward.

Building funds typically come from capital project funds from the state and from private fund raising, done over several years, and can't be used to solve the university's operating budget shortfall.

Here's a quick rundown of some of the more visible projects that will add to the changing ISU landscape in the months ahead:

College of Business building. This three-story building will go up on the southeast corner of central campus, on the site of Osborn Cottage. University officials looked into the feasibility of moving the cottage and donating it to Habitat for Humanity. However, estimates exceed $100,000, due to the presence of asbestos and lead paint. So, pending approval this month from the Board of Regents, State of Iowa, the plan is to demolish Osborn Cottage. If approved, the demolition would take place in late August or early September. A construction contractor for the Business building will be selected in October, with work beginning yet this fall. The anticipated completion date for the building is December 2003. Nearly $13.4 million of the $24.5 million cost is private funds, with the Legislature appropriating the remaining amount this session.
(Phase 2 of the Engineering Teaching and Research Complex). The three-story building will be located on Bissell Road, north of Black Engineering. It will be built of the same materials as Howe Hall. A contractor will be selected in August, with construction beginning this fall. A July 2003 completion date is the goal. Nearly $30.3 million of the building's $63.6 million price tag is from private funds.
Honors Program building. The site for this two-story building is south of Horticulture Hall, fringing the northeast corner of central campus. Pre-construction site work is under way by Harold Pike Construction, Ames. The scheduled completion date is February 2002. About $1.4 million of this project's $2.2 million cost is in private funds. The Honors Program, previously housed in Osborn Cottage, will move to Pearson Hall for the 2001-02 school year.
Extension 4-H Youth building. This building will be located at the southwest corner of the Stange Road-13th Street intersection, north of the Administrative Services Building. $2.5 million of its proposed $4.5 million price tag comes from private gifts; extension leaders await regents' approval on the last $1 million.
Bus terminal in the Iowa State Center parking lot. The site is along the existing CyRide route in the southwest quadrant of the lot. The $325,000 facility includes an indoor heated area with restrooms, and protected but unheated outdoor shelter area with bench seating. Funding sources for this facility are the ISU parking division and Government of the Student Body. The facility should be done by January.
Carver Co-laboratory. This research facility will be located north of the Molecular Biology Building. Slated to begin this summer, construction has been delayed because a basement level, housing more laboratory and support space, is being added to the project. A groundbreaking ceremony will be held Oct. 20. At their May meeting, the regents approved a new budget, $12.75 million (up from $9.5 million).

Residence department Master Plan projects

Union Drive suite building (first of three). The location for these four-story residence halls is south of State Gym, on the former Clyde Williams field. Site work for the first building began in late April. Henkel Construction Co., Mason City, is the contractor. The scheduled completion date is August 2002. This $23.7 million project includes adding utilities for the whole project.
Union Drive community center. A three-story $15 million building will be located east of State Gym, on the site of the Helser Hall north wing, which is being demolished. Design of the building is in progress. The project schedule calls for the contractor to be selected in February or March 2002, with work beginning shortly after. The anticipated completion date is July 2003.
Hawthorn Court. This north-campus residence neighborhood consists of 23 apartment buildings and a community center. The first nine apartment buildings opened in July 2000 and three more were completed during fall semester 2000. Another seven apartment buildings and the community center will open in August. The last four apartment buildings will be completed throughout the fall semester.