News
I am here today to talk about the University’s top deferred maintenance project – restoration of Shattuck Hall.
This project is important to the University’s ability to continue to meet the increasing needs of our student enrollment; the building contributes to the cultural and architectural qualities of the University; and the renovation is needed for the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff. I have distributed pictures of the building and some of the maintenance challenges.
Shattuck Hall was constructed over 90 years ago and was an elementary school for Portland. The University acquired it in 1969.
The renovation of Shattuck Hall is more cost-efficient than replacing it. Also, it would be difficult for me to tell one of Oregon’s major philanthropist, Harold Schnitzer, and State Senator Jackie Winters that we are demolishing their grade school.
The building consists of three floors and a two story annex attached to the east end by way of an underground tunnel. The annex was the elementary school’s gymnasium.
Shattuck Hall is a beautiful building, but it is in serious need of repairs and restorations. The building houses academic programs and the University’s information technology data center.
Without updating the infrastructure the building is at risk of closure.
Additionally, the age of the building presents the potential of complete failure of major systems.
Currently, the baseline energy use is almost twice as high as other buildings on campus.
This building is consistent with our commitment to be a sustainable campus because of its high operating costs. Renovation provides us with an opportunity to improve energy savings through new systems.
For example, the HVAC system in the building is outdated and is heated and ventilated by two constant volume multi-zone systems located on the first floor. There is no cooling system.
These systems have steam heating coils. The building has no emergency generator power back-up. In the summer months, we have had to close classrooms and some offices on the third floor because temperatures have risen to 80 - 100 degrees.There is limited access for students with disabilities and the building has one, very old, and very slow elevator.
The building has only one men’s and one women’s restroom. These are located on the first floor, and access for physically challenged students is difficult at best.
There also are safety concerns associated with Shattuck Hall. The building is a non-reinforced, clay masonry structure and needs to be upgraded to meet seismic standards. Additionally, the building has asbestos floor tile and asbestos wrap on all ductwork. The fire alarm and suppression systems are antiquated and unreliable.
Furthermore, the building roof is long past its anticipated life expectancy.
Portland State University will use the deferred maintenance funds to:
-Connect the building to the Central Heating/Cooling Plant in Cramer Hall.
-Renovate or replace the HVAC systems
-Abate all asbestos
-Construct ADA accessible restrooms on other floors
-Provide necessary seismic upgrades to the building
-Tear off and replace the existing roof
-Reclaim space for classrooms to meet the University’s growing enrollment demands
-Replace all exterior doors, cracked/broken masonry and concrete.
-Replace the existing fire alarm and suppression systems with updated, more efficient systems.
To duplicate what we can accomplish with the full renovation of this building would cost $24.4 million.
We ask for your support of this important project.
