Spring Break
Architect announces revised BSC plan to ASG
Courtney Day
Issue date: 11/3/09 Section: Front Page
University Architect Bob Keller unveiled revamped plans for a Bicentennial Student Center (BSC) at the Associated Student Government (ASG) student senate meeting Oct. 27.
Bob Keller explained the original plan to tear down Gaskill, Culler and Rowan halls to build the BSC would have cost $120.4 million. He said the new plan is to incorporate the three existing buildings into the new center. This plan would cost $77.7 million.
Keller said the three existing halls would be renovated both inside and out and then connected by new facilities.
"I know that Gaskill is not the most attractive building in the world," Keller said. "There will be some changes."
Keller said the change in plans would result in a building of almost the exact same square footage as the original design, approximately 205,000 square feet.
"We will still be creating the same kinds of spaces," Keller said.
Those spaces, he said, will include study and group project space, meeting and office space for student organizations, food service space, recreational space and a theater.
No provision for parking is made in the BSC plans. Keller mentioned the parking at Shriver Center as an option; however, parking there is limited. He also said the plan would eliminate the parking lot currently at Gaskill Hall. Keller said the university wants to encourage walking as opposed to driving on campus.
Keller said recycling the old buildings will not only cut demolition and building costs, but also help the building achieve a better Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. Keller said the university's goal is to achieve a silver certification for the BSC.
"The team we have assembled is very much into green design and sustainable design," Keller said, when asked how much of a priority environmental concerns will be for the project.
Keller said the new plan also allows for the project to be done in two phases.
David Creamer, vice president of finance and business services, said, "Even if everything proceeds on schedule, we are three and a half years from the opening of Phase I."
Bob Keller explained the original plan to tear down Gaskill, Culler and Rowan halls to build the BSC would have cost $120.4 million. He said the new plan is to incorporate the three existing buildings into the new center. This plan would cost $77.7 million.
Keller said the three existing halls would be renovated both inside and out and then connected by new facilities.
"I know that Gaskill is not the most attractive building in the world," Keller said. "There will be some changes."
Keller said the change in plans would result in a building of almost the exact same square footage as the original design, approximately 205,000 square feet.
"We will still be creating the same kinds of spaces," Keller said.
Those spaces, he said, will include study and group project space, meeting and office space for student organizations, food service space, recreational space and a theater.
No provision for parking is made in the BSC plans. Keller mentioned the parking at Shriver Center as an option; however, parking there is limited. He also said the plan would eliminate the parking lot currently at Gaskill Hall. Keller said the university wants to encourage walking as opposed to driving on campus.
Keller said recycling the old buildings will not only cut demolition and building costs, but also help the building achieve a better Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. Keller said the university's goal is to achieve a silver certification for the BSC.
"The team we have assembled is very much into green design and sustainable design," Keller said, when asked how much of a priority environmental concerns will be for the project.
Keller said the new plan also allows for the project to be done in two phases.
David Creamer, vice president of finance and business services, said, "Even if everything proceeds on schedule, we are three and a half years from the opening of Phase I."
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
moving companies Cleveland
posted 11/03/09 @ 5:25 PM EST
It's great to see that there will be renovations and more space. And the money saved by not tearing down the buildings is very significant too!
Ms. LEED Trainer
posted 11/03/09 @ 6:57 PM EST
Hopefully the new revamped plans for Bicentennial Student Center are beneficial to the students and facility. Striving for Silver LEED certification is a great way to start the project. (Continued…)
jrme01
Finally
posted 11/04/09 @ 8:34 AM EST
Why didn't they think of not tearing down the buildings in the first place? If they had the LEED certification in mind, then they wouldn't have even thought about tearing down perfectly good buildings. (Continued…)
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