Outdated Snell Hall may be demolished

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http://barometer.orst.edu/vnews/display.v/ART/2003/05/01/3eb149d7ec5ea

Outdated Snell may be demolishedOSU Master Planners look to replace WW II-era building

By Judy McClintockBarometer Staff Writer

As part of the OSU Master Plan, Snell Hall may be rebuilt to fit today's modern needs and safety concerns, providing that funding is available. Grant KayeBarometer Staff Photographer Editors Note: This is the first installment of a four-part series about the OSU Master Plan.

Originally built as a modern dormitory, Snell Hall has come to be anything but contemporary over the years, with water damage, ventilation problems and high earthquake risk.

"It wasn't built for long-term durability," Sarnoff, University Planning Manager, said.

Initially built in the post- World War II boom era, Snell was constructed with no central air-conditioning or heating and is insufficiently equipped for today's computers.

"It wasn't built for the 2000s," Sarnoff said. "They were trying to meet needs immediately of the time."

According to Margaret s, Transportation Services Manager, Snell also has a mold problem.

The mold, which contains no potential health harms, according to Sarnoff, will have damaging effects on the building.

"Long-term, the mold will help deteriorate the building," Sarnoff said.

In addition, Snell is at a high earthquake risk, according to s and Sarnoff.

"The building was built on cement slabs," s said.

According to Sarnoff, the building standards are more comprehensive and stringent now than when Snell was built, which creates a risk.

Due to its deteriorating status and potential dangers, Sarnoff and the planning committee are currently seeking funding acceptance for Snell to be torn down and re-built as part of the OSU Master Plan.

"We will be replacing the hall with a facility that would meet today's needs," Sarnoff said. "We want a building that will last for anywhere from 100 to 300 years from now."

The planning committee is seeking funding approval from the Oregon University System as part of the capitol construction budget.

The budget is currently funding projects such as the Reser Stadium Expansion, College Inn renovation, Veterinary Medicine expansion and the new engineering building.

Snell is currently on the request list of projects and Sarnoff believes that it will gain acceptance and funding.

Although the exact date of construction is unknown, Sarnoff is positive it will be sometime in the next ten years.

"It is a longer-term project," she said. "It won't be done within the next two years."

According to Sarnoff, some have questioned the plan for the construction of a new hall with the possibility of renovation.

The proposal for renovation would take more time and money process than the current plan, she said.

If the building had been built with quality materials, renovation would be a feasible option, like in the case of Weatherford hall, according to Sarnoff.

"Weatherford was built with solid masonry, which makes renovation a good plan," she said.

"Snell wasn't built with high quality materials."

The current plan for Snell has a proposed budget of $40 million and according to Sarnoff, this is fairly consistent with other master plan projects, such as the new engineering building with a budget of $43 million.

The new Snell Hall will fit the current needs of student services such as student media and international programs, which take place in the existing building.

In addition to student services, the new building will hold general classrooms as well.

During construction, groups located in Snell will be temporarily moved to a different location that is not yet known, according to Sarnoff.

"The student services will continue to function," she said.

According to Sarnoff, construction of the new hall could take anywhere from 18 to 24 months from inception to completion.

"We will wait until we have an approved project to speak to groups in the hall," she said.

The Snell Hall plan is just part of the many changes intended for OSU in the future years, according to Sarnoff.

"The master plan is to enhance the quality environment and human experience on campus," she said.

"We want to design a campus for the future."

Judy McClintock covers news at The Daily Barometer. She can be reached at 737-2231 or baro.news@....