'Frankenstein room' remains top K-State priority for recently approved repair funds

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Source: Thomas Rawson, 785-532-6226, tmr@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Andy Badeker, 785-532-6415, abadeker@k-state.edu

Thursday, May 10, 2007

'FRANKENSTEIN ROOM' REMAINS TOP K-STATE PRIORITY FOR RECENTLY APPROVED REPAIR FUNDS

MANHATTAN -- Kansas State University is refining its repair priorities for the Board of Regents now that the Legislature has agreed to pay part of the bill for deferred maintenance.

At the top of the list is the power plant's antiquated electrical distribution system, known on campus as "the Frankenstein room," said Thomas Rawson, vice president for administration and finance. Its switches, original to the 1928 building, still distribute high-voltage feed to many older buildings on campus.

Other priorities for K-State's $45.8 million share include Old Memorial Stadium and Willard Hall, both of which require attention from their shingles down to their drains.

The additional money available to K-State over the next five years, approved April 30 in House Bill 2237, consists of $27.2 million in state funds and $18.6 million in interest from tuition and other university funds to be spent over five years, starting in fiscal year 2008. That figure does not include money from the educational building fund, estimated at $4.5 million to $5 million annually for K-State, Rawson said.

K-State and other regents institutions have been asked to submit by June 1 their five-year plans for spending these additional funds, in time for the Board of Regents' monthly meeting June 27-28, Rawson said. The university's current wish list, drawn up for the regents in January, assumed a larger payout of $60 million. To fix all deferred maintenance at K-State would cost about $250 million.

"Of the regents institutions, we have the vast majority of buildings in use that were built before 1900," Rawson said. That distinction brings with it higher repair bills. Adding to K-State's maintenance expense is the complexity of the building systems in the university's many labs and research facilities.

Other projects that likely will be on the June 1 list are renovations at Seaton Court (133 years old) and Leasure Hall (100 years old in 2008).

Hoped-for repairs to such buildings as Call, Kedzie, Nichols and Waters Halls as well as Chem/Biochem and McCain Auditorium likely will need to be delayed, as will the hangars at K-State at Salina and the university's agricultural research centers in Western Kansas. But no decisions have been made yet, Rawson said.

Many of the buildings require similar, basic repairs such as heating, plumbing and electrical work. Asbestos removal, improved accessibility and energy-efficient glazing are other concerns. And at a campus graced with so many limestone exteriors, tuck-pointing of masonry is a continual requirement.