Can this building be saved?
On many campuses, the answer is yes. But a careful evaluation of your facilities means weighing a number of competing factors. Consider the following questions before green-lighting a demolition:
Programming. Is the building design truly capable of serving the desired programming and occupancy, now and into the future? Once it’s renovated, will your new building be flexible enough to be redesigned to meet new program needs 40 or 50 years down the road?
Structure. Is this building structurally sound enough to last? Are there significant structural or space limitations? If you can’t save the building, can you salvage building materials for new construction? At The Ohio State University, Habitat for Humanity was called in to deconstruct the existing student union and materials were salvaged for the charity’s projects as well as for use in the new Ohio Union.
Hazardous materials. Do you know what’s hiding in this building? In many older facilities, removal of asbestos, lead and other hazardous materials adds cost and time to the project. A conservative estimate of these costs must weigh into your decision making. This is not the place to underestimate.
Balancing occupancy with schedule. Can you feasibly work on the building while it’s occupied? How quickly will you need to bring the facility on-line? And what will you do with the users in the event that you need to empty the building?
The 70% rule. Is it going to cost you less than 70% of the cost of new construction to renovate the building? If so, what a bargain. For example, at the University of Iowa, converting a campus hotel into student housing meant addressing moisture issues, replacing HVAC systems, adding insulation and other high-cost measures. Yet at 50% the cost of a brand new residence hall, the renovation, which will also provide students with desirable private bathrooms, is a wise expenditure, says Von Stange.