Bradley announces $30 million gift from Caterpillar

[BUBalum05]

I'm glad we're getting the new facilities but unfortunately its going to add another element of architectural design to the campus. I always thought that campus was made up of a hodge podge of buildings that never fit together, especially around the quad when compared to some other campuses (U of I comes to mind). I guess the only good thing to say about the lack of cohesion perhaps shows the progressivism and evolution of Bradley.

The renderings for the new facilities look beautiful but here again we're adding another style of modern architecture to campus.

On a related note, has there ever been a period on campus that there isn't a significant construction project going on? In my brief tenure I saw Olin and Bradley redone and know of there were continous projects before and after too. Maybe I'm just a little jealous that future students are getting new buildings of everywhere I was most (Jobst & Haussler).

[squirrel]

I agree that there is a lack of unifying architecture on campus, however I disagree on the following point BUBalum05. . .

Starting with the construction of CGCC, visitor's center, and the new parking deck, I believe BU has committed itself to keeping that design uniform. If you look at the Olin Hall renovation, the Peoria Next building and the renderings for the new buildings, they all feature prominently metallic and glass exteriors.

[squirrel]

Looking at the buildings that are being built and what we're "shooting for" as far as money, things don't link up. Looking at these projects, I'd say we're roughly looking at a total of $215 to $225 million (this figure was bounced off a few business profs who seem to center their estimates around 220). Does Bradley have funding for the rest of it? Or are we just banking on additional fundraising over the next few years?

http://campaign.bradley.edu/

What I can tell you is that the accepted bid (Williams Brothers) for the Markin Center was about $10-15 mil under what the anticipated cost would be. It's probably too early to tell if that will be a trend for the rest of the projects or not. The Williams' Bros. have done a great deal of BU work the last 30 years. Given that, it is likely that BU will get competitive pricing, so I think some of those 200 mil+ estimates are way high.

The University also is fronting about $100 million out of its endowment to help finance these projects, so the construction can commence on projects for which they may still be seeking donors and naming rights.

[it's boogie time]

Would I be correct in assuming that Morgan Hall will be coming down at some point? Just the way that the Rec Center is drawn looks like that Morgan Hall isn't in the long term plans. I assume one of the reason Cat is giving this much money is because they can fully get behind Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering.

[BUBalum05]

Would I be correct in assuming that Morgan Hall will be coming down at some point? Just the way that the Rec Center is drawn looks like that Morgan Hall isn't in the long term plans. I assume one of the reason Cat is giving this much money is because they can fully get behind Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering.

Morgan hall was a depressing building to have class in too. Dull tile walls, small windows, old lighting fixtures--kinda felt like a prison. Didn't help that my engineering econ class there was boring enough to be considered punishment.

[it's boogie time]

Morgan hall was a depressing building to have class in too. Dull tile walls, small windows, old lighting fixtures--kinda felt like a prison. Didn't help that my engineering econ class there was boring enough to be considered punishment.

I agree. The building has no redeeming qualities. It always seemed like a last minute place they threw together like Becker Hall.