2008 Woodie Awards
University replaces house lost in fire
Alex Halfmann
Issue date: 4/17/08 Section: News
Soon the University Farm once again will be home to students, not just livestock.
After student housing on the Farm caught fire in January, the new duplex will be built west of the former location and should be completed by Aug. 8, in time for the start of the 2008 school year.
Physical Plant Director Karl Schneider said the University is bidding out the floorplan to companies.
"We've taken an existing floorplan, and we're bidding it out, asking the bidders to provide something similar to the floorplan we provided," Schneider said.
Schneider said the new housing complex will be slightly smaller than the old house but that it still will be capable of housing four residents, with two bedrooms on each side of the duplex.
He said the project is estimated to cost about $160,000. He also said that estimation includes the foundation and utilities but that the University will have to wait until the bids come in for the actual cost.
The insurance will cover slightly more than $90,000 after the University pays a $50,000 deductible, he said.
Schneider said the University had been waiting on the final assessment from the insurance company before taking any action. In the months since the fire, the University discussed whether to repair the existing structure or replace the duplex altogether.
Farm manager Bill Kuntz said not having students living on the Farm has made things a bit more difficult for him.
"It has made it a little more challenging, especially on the weekends," Kuntz said. "I have to work a weekend or so, myself, doing chores, so [the fire] has made it a little more challenging without someone always being here."
Senior Carl Duncan and junior Kendra Nilson were the two students living at the Farm this year. Duncan, who has moved to another on-campus location, continues to do work at the Farm. Nilson has moved into another off-campus residence.
"The plan was to have them pay as little of the out-of-the-pocket expense as possible," Kuntz said.
After student housing on the Farm caught fire in January, the new duplex will be built west of the former location and should be completed by Aug. 8, in time for the start of the 2008 school year.
Physical Plant Director Karl Schneider said the University is bidding out the floorplan to companies.
"We've taken an existing floorplan, and we're bidding it out, asking the bidders to provide something similar to the floorplan we provided," Schneider said.
Schneider said the new housing complex will be slightly smaller than the old house but that it still will be capable of housing four residents, with two bedrooms on each side of the duplex.
He said the project is estimated to cost about $160,000. He also said that estimation includes the foundation and utilities but that the University will have to wait until the bids come in for the actual cost.
The insurance will cover slightly more than $90,000 after the University pays a $50,000 deductible, he said.
Schneider said the University had been waiting on the final assessment from the insurance company before taking any action. In the months since the fire, the University discussed whether to repair the existing structure or replace the duplex altogether.
Farm manager Bill Kuntz said not having students living on the Farm has made things a bit more difficult for him.
"It has made it a little more challenging, especially on the weekends," Kuntz said. "I have to work a weekend or so, myself, doing chores, so [the fire] has made it a little more challenging without someone always being here."
Senior Carl Duncan and junior Kendra Nilson were the two students living at the Farm this year. Duncan, who has moved to another on-campus location, continues to do work at the Farm. Nilson has moved into another off-campus residence.
"The plan was to have them pay as little of the out-of-the-pocket expense as possible," Kuntz said.
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