Costs Growing To Renovate Building Because Of Mold

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Wednesday, April 10, 2002

Costs Growing To Renovate Building Because Of Mold

By DORIS HAUGEN

Associated Press Writer

SIOUX FALLS -- The cost of renovating the heating and cooling system at

South Dakota State University's animal science complex has soared to almost

$3.9 million, more than five times the original estimate.

Problems became known after employees complained of illnesses ranging from

rashes to stomach pains. Some said black mold growing in the duct system

made them sick.

A former student, Troy Christensen, has said he plans to sue the university

and the state Board of Regents. He has said exposure to black mold on the

campus caused bleeding in his lungs.

Jim Shekleton, the board's lawyer, said the regents received a notice of

claim in January but a lawsuit had not yet been filed.

The board, which governs the state's higher education system, originally

approved improvement funding at $703,000. After the project was revised, the

board approved a $1.9 million expenditure last year.

SDSU officials told the regents' Committee on Budget and Finance during the

board's March meeting that the cost had gone up again to almost $3.9

million.

The money is needed for planning, design and construction, said Mike Reger,

SDSU's executive vice president for administration.

''The cost increase reflects the fact that if we are going to do this, we

are going to do this right,'' said Reger. ''We are bringing this almost

30-year-old building up to current standards so it will be good for 30 more

years.''

Two years ago the university hired a toxicologist to study the building. At

the time, scientists said the complex fit the criteria of a ''sick

building.''

SDSU administrators have said the building did not cause health problems.

The renovation will redesign the heating, cooling and ventilation system in

the laboratories and bring the building in line with new standards for

storing chemicals and other safety requirements, said Reger.

Once the work is completed, the complex will meet or exceed codes, Reger

said. ''And we will have a building where we don't have air quality

concerns.''

Although the tab for improvements is high, Reger said it would cost up to

$15 million to replace the complex, which includes classrooms, faculty

offices and laboratories. That is an expense the university cannot justify,

he said.

SDSU will spend existing funds and does not plan to ask the regents or the

Legislature for money. Some will come from funding set aside for the

building in previous years. The university also will delay or defer a number

of roofing and other projects over the next two or three years to pay for

the work, said Reger.

The university still is waiting for a final recommendation from the

architect and engineer before it can set a construction date. However, Reger

thinks crews could be ready sometime this fall.

Once the project starts, the work will take a least a year. In the meantime,

classrooms, offices and labs will be moved out, said Reger.

Gienapp, chairman of the regents' budget and finance committee, said

he was unaware of any buildings on other state campuses where indoor air

quality complaints have surfaced. The committee oversees university building

projects.

The regents do not have a screening process to specifically check for air

quality problems, said Gienapp. However, campus officials do inspect

buildings regularly as part of routine maintenance.