Remodeling Project Exceeds Costs Ways Sought To Cut Costs For Nic Building

Tue., June 3, 1997

By Julie Titone juliet@spokesman.com

Remodeling of the North Idaho College Student Union Building will be a pared-down version of what originally was planned.

Higher than expected costs might even kill the project, according to a student leader.

The minimum construction bid on the $4.7 million project came in $406,000 over budget. Kitchen equipment will cost $125,000 more than expected.

The college architect and the low bidder are working to find ways to cut costs, according to the dean of administration.

“We’re not down to the bottom line yet,” Rollie Jurgens said Monday.

He said he hopes negotiations with Panco Construction will be complete by the time the Dorm Housing Commission meets Wednesday.

That group is appointed by the governor to oversee campus building projects. Its approval is needed before the contract can be signed.

Remodeling costs will come out of students’ pockets at a rate of $86 per semester for the next 20 years. That’s $20 more than they’ve been spending on the original construction bond, which recently was paid off.

In April, then-student body President Neil Weber asked the board of trustees if tax money could be used to make up the shortfall. The board wouldn’t go for it.

“We were trying to get the dream building,” Weber said of the remodeling project, designed by Phoenix International architects.

“We got some pretty good deals on a lot of materials,” Weber said Monday. “If it goes to rebid, it could cost up to $1 million more.”

That could kill the whole project, he said.

Last week, a list of 43 items that could be trimmed or deleted was compiled. They include elimination of a sunken patio, which would provide a daylight opening to the basement; and replacement of the brick exterior with stucco.

Even small items, such as $200 light fixtures, are being evaluated, said Jurgens.

Meanwhile, the Edmiston Student Union Building has been emptied.

Services moved to the Hedlund Building include advising, counseling, dean of students and the bookstore.

Moved to the Siebert Building are the Career Center, auxiliary services, Associated Students of NIC, Outdoor Pursuits and intramural sports.

Construction is expected to take a year to complete.

, DataTimes MEMO: IDAHO HEADLINE: Remodeling project costlier than expected

IDAHO HEADLINE: Remodeling project costlier than expected

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