New College of Business

[treeman]

I no some don't like that the post office is becoming the college of business. But i personally feel like it is a great move for ISU. it is a beautiful building that they are getting. They are moving out of the statesmen towers (thank god). and it will expand the campus past cherry street and bring more and more students into the business district of Terre Haute.

 

[IndyTreeFan]

Agreed. I think this will be a great move for ISU. At least the building probably won't blow over in a storm!!!

Seriously, though, it's going to be a great thing for both ISU and Terre Haute!

 

[bent20]

Are they demolishing the towers? What is the latest with that?

 

[Sackalot]

It is a wonderful move, it is the best use of architectural options within the city. They are going to make it amazing while keeping it historically true...what could be looked at as a poor decision in this? The Towers were ugly when they were built, they are sinking, they a DORMS for crying out loud!

I am told they will be demolished by 2015...that is all I am hearing (no movie destrcutions planned at this moment). They will have to be torn down to make way for other plans...

 

[IndyTreeFan]

It is a wonderful move, it is the best use of architectural options within the city. They are going to make it amazing while keeping it historically true...what could be looked at as a poor decision in this? The Towers were ugly when they were built, they are sinking, they a DORMS for crying out loud!

I am told they will be demolished by 2015...that is all I am hearing (no movie destrcutions planned at this moment). They will have to be torn down to make way for other plans...

Any thoughts on turning them back into dorms? With the recent influx of students, I know they're going to need the dorm space. I also know they would have to do a TON of work on them to bring them up to today's student's standards (coddled babies...), but when I was in school, I always thought it would be cool to live over there, kinda out on your own...

 

[SycamoreStateofMind]

Yeah I think they are in to bad a shape to do anything with those towers... They are also trying to get away from the EAST side of campus. They want to expand south into the city (i.e new college of business) and west (i.e new outdoor track). If they put new dorms in those old buildings that would get away from what they are trying to do... So two towers will indeed be demolished when the college of business relocates.

They have a hosing plan in place and they are identifying options for 2012 - I think you will see some new dorms very very soon along with renovation of older dorms (they are currently doing some of this).

 

[Bally #50]

There is already conderation to tear down Sycamore Towers as well in five years or more. It's not just Statesmen Towers. I was actually stunned when I heard that a couple of weeks ago! Since I was a "Rhoads" Scholar I was taken aback by it for sure. They are ecological disasters and energy drains for the University, big time.

 

[4Q_iu]

The Statesmen Towers (former CoE and current CoB) was originally planned as a 4-tower complex like Sycamore Towers; the demand dropped after two were built, so they 'divided' the 2 towers in half to create 'four' towers...

I've read that they'll be gone before 2012 is complete; apparently Sycamore Towers will likely be razed as the cost to retro-fit A/C and more private baths (the minimum for the spoiled Gen Y'ers and Millienials now in college) is steeper than new construction...

 

[SycamoreStateofMind]

I've read that they'll be gone before 2012 is complete; apparently Sycamore Towers will likely be razed as the cost to retro-fit A/C and more private baths (the minimum for the spoiled Gen Y'ers and Millienials now in college) is steeper than new construction...

Valid points - all very true!

 

[4Q_iu]

I no some don't like that the post office is becoming the college of business. But i personally feel like it is a great move for ISU. it is a beautiful building that they are getting. They are moving out of the statesmen towers (thank god). and it will expand the campus past cherry street and bring more and more students into the business district of Terre Haute.

Who's against a new CoB?

Every story I've read (Trib-Star, IndyStar, IndState.edu, IBJ...) everyone is singing the praises of this plan!

Not sure why anyone would oppose it --- the price tag is kinda steep but dollars to doughnuts, a BIG piece of it was asbestos removal...

The Feds (GSA) re-habbed most of the building; adding to it.

While we have few Art Deco buildings at State -- the "old Post Office" is a beautiful building --- Glad that State and Sen Bayh were able to get it done

 

[treeman]

i have just heard a few mumbles (like 1 or 2) on how they think it is a bad thing to move the post office out of down town terre haute ...but i feel that having college students is more beneficial for the downtown area than just people picking up their mail. also, i gotta believe that in the next 5 years or so you would see a couple of big new dormitories going up on campus, and the sycamore towers being destroyed. or one new dorm and the sycamore towers just being renovated. but my question is. where would they put this/these new dorms. just north of the courthouse west of 41?

 

[4Q_iu]

i have just heard a few mumbles (like 1 or 2) on how they think it is a bad thing to move the post office out of down town terre haute ...but i feel that having college students is more beneficial for the downtown area than just people picking up their mail. also, i gotta believe that in the next 5 years or so you would see a couple of big new dormitories going up on campus, and the sycamore towers being destroyed. or one new dorm and the sycamore towers just being renovated. but my question is. where would they put this/these new dorms. just north of the courthouse west of 41?

Isn't ISU going to provide postal services via a USPS Contract Station?
Many in the public may have overlooked that or chosen to ignore it...

http://www.indstate.edu/facilities/mail/contractstation.htm

As to "...than just people picking up their mail"
Don Scott (Scott College of Business) Benefactor estimated that he walked into the new CoB ~4,000times during his business career... In many towns the size of Terre Haute (and smaller); the post office, banks and restaurants are places where a LOT of business is created -- they're community centers... it's the loss of daily foot traffic in/around downtown businesses that people are leery of losing but it shouldn't be a factor until the contract station closes

Too many people forget how many different offices were in the "Old Post Office" actually the name is Federal Building ( ie. courts, US Marshals, etc, etc)

http://www.indstate.edu/news/news.php?newsid=2421

If/When the Sycamore Towers are razed -- why wouldn't they build on the same footprint?

In addition; virtuarlly EVERY news story/item about housing discusses a private/public concept "South of Cherry" (i.e. on the Wabash...)

I've not read anything regarding non-athletic facilities WEST of 3rd Street (U.S. 41N)

 

[Eleven]

Isn't ISU going to provide postal services via a USPS Contract Station?

Yes, but that was up for discussion for a while. It was a fairly recent announcement that the USPS decided to maintain staff at the back part of the post office (currently in use).

In addition; virtuarlly EVERY news story/item about housing discusses a private/public concept "South of Cherry" (i.e. on the Wabash...)

I keep hearing this too... and they talk about combining Freshmen dorms with student activity centers and commercial opportunities all in the same building.... there is one building already downtown that has all of that available.... I keep wondering if ISU is looking at Center City complex?
Or perhaps re-locating the Vigo School Corp offices and building on the corner?

I've not read anything regarding non-athletic facilities WEST of 3rd Street (U.S. 41N)

I do not think that is in the plans at all. I've seen nothing that lists ISU residence West of US 41.

 

[4Q_iu]

Yes, but that was up for discussion for a while. It was a fairly recent announcement that the USPS decided to maintain staff at the back part of the post office (currently in use)...

I've thought the contract station was a good compromise for some towns/ areas that wanted a USPS presence -- actually, it's a return to the past; back to the general store days -- think Sam Drucker from Petticoat Juction and Green Acres

...I keep hearing this too... and they talk about combining Freshmen dorms with student activity centers and commercial opportunities all in the same building.... there is one building already downtown that has all of that available.... I keep wondering if ISU is looking at Center City complex?
Or perhaps re-locating the Vigo School Corp offices and building on the corner?...

The Vigo School Corp offices (and nearby areas) were specifially mentioned in that CoB story (but in a somewhat off-handed manner)

 

[treeman]

yes but if you were to demolish then build a complete new dorm in the same location as ONE sycamore tower that has to atleast take a year to do. with that being said. there is no way ISU can afford to lose that space for one year. each tower holds around 500 residents. ISU would have to build a complete new dormitory somewhere before they shut down ONE tower. so where would they build this dorm. and besides i don't know if anyone has noticed but with all of these dorms they are renovated they are making the rooms into suite type deals (bigger nicer rooms means less rooms all together.) so they are losing space with each renovation. so with time they are going to have to build a new dormitory somewhere to compensate for their loses in total rooms and their increase in enrollment. it is just insane to think that they will not build a complete new dormitory somewhere, in the near future.

 

[4Q_iu]

yes but if you were to demolish then build a complete new dorm in the same location as ONE sycamore tower that has to atleast take a year to do. with that being said. there is no way ISU can afford to lose that space for one year. each tower holds around 500 residents. ISU would have to build a complete new dormitory somewhere before they shut down ONE tower. so where would they build this dorm. and besides i don't know if anyone has noticed but with all of these dorms they are renovated they are making the rooms into suite type deals (bigger nicer rooms means less rooms all together.) so they are losing space with each renovation. so with time they are going to have to build a new dormitory somewhere to compensate for their loses in total rooms and their increase in enrollment. it is just insane to think that they will not build a complete new dormitory somewhere, in the near future.

I haven't heard/read of anyone DENYING that new spaces will be constructed.

This issues are where, how many and by whom (State or public/private option)

Dr Bradley mentioned in one of his recent addresses that Erickson may be returned to dorm space.

The future of Lincoln is TBD (there are some pushing an All-Greek option); others the status quo. I am against an 'All-Greek' option; if the fraternities and soroties want their own, 'exclusive' spaces -- buy a house. I am in favor of the status quo at Lincoln (though if it went 'Greek Free' i.e. no more Greek stairwells, I'd be as happy. Again, if the fraternities and soroties want their own, 'exclusive' spaces -- buy a house.)

As to Sycamore Towers, I've just recently read/heard questions about their future -- Obviously, State isn't going to raze them before a replacement is ready.

With increased enrollment and the 'modernization' of the dorms -- additional space will be needed; the questions are: where, how many and by whom (State or public/private option)

 

[Eleven]

yes but if you were to demolish then build a complete new dorm in the same location as ONE sycamore tower that has to atleast take a year to do. with that being said. there is no way ISU can afford to lose that space for one year. each tower holds around 500 residents. ISU would have to build a complete new dormitory somewhere before they shut down ONE tower. so where would they build this dorm. and besides i don't know if anyone has noticed but with all of these dorms they are renovated they are making the rooms into suite type deals (bigger nicer rooms means less rooms all together.) so they are losing space with each renovation. so with time they are going to have to build a new dormitory somewhere to compensate for their loses in total rooms and their increase in enrollment. it is just insane to think that they will not build a complete new dormitory somewhere, in the near future.

I believe we arentlking about the old college of business and college of education... NOT current residence halls... Unless I've misread the conversation...

 

[4Q_iu]

I believe we arentlking about the old college of business and college of education... NOT current residence halls... Unless I've misread the conversation...

The streams were crossed...

The gist of the thread is the current and future dorm issue at State.

 

[Eleven]

Dr. Bradley has stated that there will be the conversion of Ericson back to dorms (after pickerel).. AND that there is a desire for a new freshman dorm... The freshman dorm is desired to be close to downtown... And will have large meeting type areas and consumer type shops... Sounds very much like Center City...

 

[Fiji Bill 72]

I have wonderful memories of living in Rhodes Hall and the chants that went back and forth with Cromwell late into the evening. However, I can see the problem with transforming them into the type of dorms the students want now. They want all of the comforts of home, and not just AC.