MEDIA ADVISORY: MU Officials Host Open House for Renovated Switzler and Tate Halls

MU funded renovations with new model

Story Contact(s):
Christian Basi, BasiC@missouri.edu, 573-882-4430

WHAT: University of Missouri officials will host an open house and media tour of the newly renovated Switzler and Tate Halls, two of the oldest buildings on campus. Because MU has not received any substantial funding from the state for repairs and maintenance of buildings since 2002, it was necessary to fund these renovations through a new innovative model. Approximately 280 classroom seats and 34 faculty offices have been added to the two buildings, which will be ready for classes this fall.

“During these tight budgetary times, we created a new stewardship renovation model that emphasizes sustainability and financial responsibility,” said Gary Ward, associate vice chancellor-facilities. “While a tour of either building will be impressive, especially to those who saw them prior to renovation, nothing inside is excessive. We are accountable to Missouri taxpayers, our tuition-paying students and their parents. At the same time, it is our responsibility to build or renovate buildings that are safe for our students and will last for many years to come.”

Processes involved in the new financial and sustainability model include:

• Requests for architects’ qualifications were submitted electronically, resulting in significant time savings.
• Materials were chosen for their durability and availability close by.
• One contractor was used for both building renovation projects.
• A construction manager was hired early in the process to work closely with the architect and address challenges quickly. This was especially helpful on the Switzler Hall project, where it was necessary that every interior floor and wall be demolished and rebuilt. Temporary tension rods kept the campus’ oldest academic building from crumbling.
• The project was funded with low-interest bonds, which will be paid with money that was originally slated for maintenance and repair of the buildings.

WHO: Faculty, staff, students and the public are invited to tour the buildings.

WHEN: The buildings will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday, June 17.

A tour for media only will begin at 12:30 p.m. in Tate Hall. Reporters should gather in the East Lobby entrance of the building (across from Ellis Library) for the tour.

WHERE: Tate Hall is located just south of Jesse Hall off of Conley Avenue on the MU campus.

Switzler Hall is located in the northwest corner of Francis Quadrangle on the MU campus

NOTE: Both projects meet new code requirements and replaced inefficient mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems that were well beyond their useful life. New fire protection, fire alarm and security systems were installed along with improved ADA accessibility. The Tate Hall renovation project cost $8 million; the Switzler Hall renovation project cost $7 million. Built in 1871, Switzler Hall is the second oldest building on campus.

This same financial model will be used in 2012 when renovations begin on Gwynn Hall for the College of Human and Environmental Sciences.