Smith Hall demolition awaits IAST decision

For now, Smith Hall still stands. And whether or not it should be torn down in order to construct the Institute for Advanced Science and Technology is a question that is still unanswered. Last month, Vice Provost for Research Barry Cooperman said he hoped the U.S. Air Force would give the final OK to begin construction on the IAST before the end of the school year. But Jane Knowlton, an Air Force spokesperson, said last week that she does not expect a decision to be made until sometime this summer. The University will be notified of the Air Force's decision 30 days before it is officially made public, Knowlton added. In 1991, the University was selected by the federal government as the site for the IAST. The project was turned over to the Department of Defense and subsequently to the Air Force. The government will spend about $35 million on the project. The University will pay the rest, which is expected to be between $35 and $40 million. An environmental impact study, already completed by the Air Force, found that the IAST would not create any major environmental damage. The only remaining hold-up is a government-mandated historical impact study. The area around Smith Hall has been designated as a historical district by the government in the past. But the University received permission from the City of Philadelphia to tear it down in 1991. Cooperman said yesterday he is optimistic that the decision could be made late this spring or early in the summer at the latest. "I am heartened that the process is at least moving," he said. "I'm not happy with the pace." Vice President for Facilities Management Arthur Gravina said last night he does not think the decision will be made by the end of the semester. He said he would not be surprised if the Air Force makes its decision sometime in June or July. Cooperman said the University is still in negotiations with a council that will advise the Air Force in its decision making process. "The best of all possible worlds would be an agreement between the advisory council, the Air Force and the University," he said. Design plans for the IAST are complete. Cooperman said the University is ready to begin the project once the Air Force makes its decision.