Demonstrate Stewardship of Buildings and Land

 As The University of Iowa enters the 21st century, it has reached a level of maturity as a  planned setting for higher education that requires an attitude that differs from past generations  whose focus was on expansion and growth.

 Today, and in the future, there is a pronounced need to wisely plan for the renewal, reuse and  upkeep of existing facilities and to optimize the use of existing limited land resources, while at  the same time adding necessary new facilities that expand and enhance the instructional and  research capacity of the University.

Preserving Existing Facilities
Perhaps the most beneficial concept to grow out of the University of Iowa process of campus master planning is the idea of facilities stewardship—taking care of the buildings we already have. For the first time ever we have a clear picture of the current condition of every General Education building on campus.

In 2004, the University retained ISES Corporation to provide inspections, detailed analyses and identification of specific deficiencies and corresponding scopes and costs for corrections and modification. With this information, the University is able to plan for capital renewal, the timely repair or replacement of major facility components to keep the building in good condition. The conservation and renewal of the existing buildings on campus will be necessary to maintain modern and safe facilities to meet academic space needs in a cost-saving manner.

The Facilities Renewal Plan illustrates those existing campus facilities requiring renewal

         
 It is recommended that renewal priorities be established on the basis of those  facilities having the most critical needs being addressed first, and those with  moderate and minor renewal needs addressed thereafter. Seashore Hall has  been identified as a priority project on this basis.

 Only in cases where renewal will not result in useful space configurations, or  where renewal will prolong the inefficient use of an existing valuable land area  should building removal be considered. Oakdale Hall and the International Center  building are existing examples of buildings that are candidates for removal rather  than renewal. In situations where building removal is considered, the building's
             Seashore Hall renewal block             historical value and heritage will be carefully weighed.