IAST project gets gov't approval

After over four years of planning and discussion, the Institute for Advanced Science and Technology may actually become a reality. On Tuesday, Air Force Spokesperson Jane Knowlton confirmed that the Air Force had signed a Record of Decision that day, giving the University the last piece of government information it needs to demolish Smith Hall and begin the construction of the high-tech building. According to Vice President for Facilities Management Arthur Gravina, this means that the Air Force has evaluated all of the alternatives, and agreed that our siting for the IAST is ideal. As a result, they will release the funds necessary to build the first phase, which is the construction of the new building. While Gravina could not give an exact figure, as of March the Air Force had already allocated $23.75 million in grant money for the entire project, according to Associate Director for Federal Relations Carl Maugeri. It's total contribution could reach $35 million. Vice Provost for Research Barry Cooperman estimated in March that the construction phase of the project will cost between $44 and $50 million. Now that the University has financial commitments lined up, it has to obtain a demolition permit from the city to tear down Smith Hall. Gravina said if all goes well, Smith Hall will be demolished sometime this summer. The project began in 1991, when the federal government selected the University as the site for the IAST. The project was then turned over to the Department of Defense and subsequently to the Air Force. The building was slated to house space for the Chemistry Department, additional Chemical Engineering laboratories and research space for the Bioengineering Department. Three years ago, the Air Force began an Environmental Impact Study, analyzing the plan's historical and environmental significance, focusing specifically on Smith Hall. In March, the Air Force finally completed the EIS, deeming the site appropriate. And with the release of the Record of Decision, it is official. Phase two of the project consists of remodeling the Morgan Building and the Music Building and constructing a new wing that will connect the two buildings from the rear. For the third phase, the University will construct an engineering-science library in Hayden Hall. This will be expensive, and may take a long time to construct. The fourth and final phase of the project is the retro-renovating of space in both the engineering and chemical complexes. Because this phase is routine renovation work, its budget can be cut if the project gets too expensive. Gravina estimates that the entire project will take two years to complete.