Archived Edition: October 26, 2005 | Back to Current	Jul 31, 2010

Stetson-Sawyer plans revisited
Caitlin O'Connell - Senior Editor

The College is in the process of reevaluating the timetable and scale of the Stetson-Sawyer renovation after the most recent estimates from architects at Bohlin Cywinski Jackson put the cost at over $130 million. As recently as last March, the College hoped to construct a new library attached to the back of Stetson and two academic buildings for around or just over $105 million.

As the real costs of the grand vision become apparent, trustees and members of the College’s planning committee have begun to take a step back and review the priorities and scope of the project. Continuing such deliberations means that steps along the road to construction must be put on hold. Such steps include finalizing building plans or purchasing property from the Congregational Church, which may be necessary to construct the south building.

Renovating Stetson Hall and constructing an attached library and information technology center at the back, along with an underground book storage facility in the existing Sawyer basement, were together estimated at around $90.66 million. This part of the project has already undergone a value engineering process to make its design as cost-efficient as possible, but it is possible the College may decide to substantially alter this vision.

“With the projected cost of the total project, and the number of trustees who have come on board over the past few years, it makes sense to review the analysis that led us to the conclusion that the new Sawyer Library should be behind Stetson,” President Schapiro said.

Schapiro indicated that progress could be made on the construction of the two academic buildings even without the library component finalized. “We are already making progress addressing questions about the library so there is no reason why we will not move forward in a timely fashion with the construction of the north and south buildings,” he said.

From the perspective of the buildings’ visionaries, however, changes to the Stetson plans carry implications for the other buildings. The Stetson-Sawyer Building Committee’s extensive plans address the project’s total needs with a careful balance across several buildings.

“I believe it’s fair to say that we will not proceed with the two academic buildings until we have also received approval for the plan to construct a new library/IT center behind and attached to Stetson Hall,” said Michael Brown, co-chair of the Stetson-Sawyer Building Committee and professor of anthropology.

Thus far, the plans for the north academic building are nearly complete. The L-shaped building will contain 115 to 120 offices, classrooms, archaeology and language labs, a public events space and lounges shared by faculty and students. The south academic building will also house faculty offices and classrooms.

Plans for the structure of the south building are less complete. The south building’s exact location will depend upon the fate of the library and the time it will be in close proximity to a standing Sawyer. The footprint of the building will depend upon the available space.

The College is reviewing various plans, some of which extend up to or over the property line with the Congregational Church. Negotiations for a property transfer are feasible, but no negotiations are underway.

“None of our plans will be final until negotiations conclude with the church and the plan has been fully approved by the trustees,” Brown said.

Yet according to church officials, such negotiations have not begun in earnest.

“We can’t really respond to something until we have some sort of definite offer for which to respond,” Reverend Carrie Bail said.