Insufficient funding may delay construction for renovations of the West Union building, University officials confirmed Thursday.
Officials met with Boston-based architecture firm Shepley Bulfinch Richardson & Abbott Inc. Thursday afternoon to discuss the company's feasibility report on West Union. They determined that a glass-structure dining pavilion would be able to house the West Union eateries that would be displaced as a result of the renovations.
The Chronicle reported on talks about building a von der Heyden-esque pavilion in October. The structure would probably be situated off the West Campus Plaza-adjacent to Page Auditorium and across from the Great Hall dining area.
Although the Shepley Bulfinch report gave the University a thumbs-up for the pavilion's infrastructure and location, detailed planning cannot proceed until officials seek the approval of the Board of Trustees at its February meeting, said Steve Nowicki, vice provost and dean of undergraduate education.
"It's given we're still trying to figure out where the real financial fallout is for this sort of thing," Nowicki said. "We're still not sure about the timing of a charitable giving that would have to support this. I suspect it's going to be another month or two before we have more clarity."
The total price tag for the project could cost the University tens of millions of dollars, but an exact figure is still unclear, he said. The final number, however, is flexible, because funding will determine the extent to which the West Union will be renovated.
A timeline for construction has not been established because a source of funding has not yet been secured, officials said.
"We are continuing to explore the opportunities and develop plans as to how we will make renovations or build alternative or additional dining. We haven't stopped that, so that's a good sign," Vice President for Student Affairs Larry Moneta said. "I suspect we won't know that for a while yet."
Still, Nowicki said he is moving ahead in planning other aspects of the renovations and hopes to engage the community in the designing phases.
"I'm proceeding with the planning because that's sort of the cheap part," he said. "Whether we have to slow down the beginning of the construction or not is hard to predict right now. Duke's in a good position compared to a lot of our peers right now, but the reality is we're not stupid and we have to proceed with caution-there's a general cautionary slowdown."
But renovations on West Union and the construction of the pavilion are not the only projects the University may delay. For the time being, other major projects will be on hold while officials reassess the construction plans and consider viable options, said Michael Schoenfeld, vice president for public affairs and government relations.
"We have to look at what the capital needs of the University are and what's available to pay for it," Schoenfeld said. "Right now, there's a lot of uncertainty in the global financial situation that's going to impact Duke. We are going to continue looking and planning, but I think it will be some period of time until we're in a position to pull the trigger and start work."
Whether the University can break ground on West Union or the pavilion in the near future is contingent upon possible donations, Nowicki said. If the economy improves rapidly, or if someone offers a generous gift, construction could begin as early as the 2009-2010 academic year, he added. Schoenfeld noted that the University is also constantly looking for such opportunities. If donations are not offered, however, Moneta estimated completion within the next decade.
Although renovations to the West Union building are not pressing, Nowicki said he wishes to finish the project as soon as possible for the good of Duke students, as waiting 10 years to complete it would be "a drag."
The renovations would preserve the historical outer shell of the West Union building, but may involve a complete redesign of the interiors, Nowicki said. Although detailed planning is still necessary, the space could create a variety of options such as student programming, meeting rooms and ballrooms, he added.
"Whatever we do in West Union, at the end of the day, it really has to be a jewel in the crown of Duke," Nowicki said. "It has to feel as right as the library renovations feel to us."
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