Construction plans for a new music facility have been postponed for the second time as the project's projected cost continues to rise. The groundbreaking of the 33,000 square foot facility, which will replace the Zeta Psi fraternity house and the former Academic Resource Center on Professors Row, is now slated to take place in 2003.
Planing for the facility began last year after the University received $4 million from an unnamed donor for the construction of a music building. But due to inflating costs in the construction industry and further development of building plans, the original estimated cost of $8 million has risen well above $12 million.
The building could alleviate student concerns about the absence of an on-campus performance facility with proper acoustics and a soundproof practice space. Tufts' original plan was to construct a 286-seat performance hall as well as classrooms, a music library, up-to-date practice and rehearsal rooms, and offices for music department faculty. But escalating costs have forced construction into two phases.
During Phase I, the shell of the facility will be built, but only the concert hall will be finished. Phase II will entail constructing classroom and practice spaces, though these spaces cannot be built until the administration raises additional funds. The projected cost for Phase I is $11.9 million, and the building's annual operating costs are expected to cost approximately $400,000.
Though administrators are hopeful that construction will begin soon, fundraising for the facility has proved frustrating. "While there continues to be achievement towards raising all the funds, it's taking longer than expected, notwithstanding significant effort by the fundraisers," Vice President of Operations John Roberto said. "It's difficult to predict when all the money will be in hand."
Construction plans are contingent on raising at least a starting target of $7.5 million. Even if fundraising picks up in the coming weeks, it would take several months for the administration to take active bids for the job from construction companies and to finish the architectural drawings of the building. Administrators target the summer of 2003 as the earliest that construction could actually begin, as long as fundraising proceeds successfully.
In the meantime, negotiations with Zeta Psi have reached a stalemate over the demolition of their 100-plus year-old house. At one point, the University suggested that the fraternity move into the old Financial Aid Office on 128 Professors Row, currently occupied by EPIIC, but no consensus was reached. Negotiations have proceeded sporadically.
Administrators remain confident that student needs can be met with the present space until construction of the new facility is complete.
"[There is not] any need to take interim measures until this project goes forward," Executive Administrative Dean Wayne Bouchard said. "Music's and other performance groups' needs will continue to be met through the use of existing facilities."
The new music facility will mark the first building in University history to be constructed specifically for music.
