Although plans for the first-ever music building on the Tufts campus have been formulated, there is still a long road ahead before construction can begin. The University is continuing negotiations with the Zeta Psi fraternity over the land on which the facility will be built, and funding concerns will likely cause further delays.
Construction was originally scheduled to begin next year, but the ground breaking will probably be pushed back, as the University has yet to determine how to fund the building. An anonymous $4 million donation earmarked for a music building was given to Tufts two years ago, but the estimated cost of construction has been steadily rising.
The project will be constructed in two phases, the first of which - building the frame of the facility and completing a concert hall - has an estimated cost of $11.4 million. The original costs was thought to be $8 million when the project was in its early stages last winter, but in the fall Tufts said the price tag could reach $10 million.
"The remaining challenge is to raise the level of funding necessary to comply with the Trustee policy of having full funding in place before a construction can go forward," said Wayne Bouchard, executive administrative dean of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering.
When completed, the building will occupy 33,000 square feet, but only 12,100 square feet of the building will be completed in phase one. Working in phases is not atypical for a construction project of this magnitude, according to Vice President of Operations John Roberto.
Despite administrative concern about funding the project, the music building continues to be a high priority for Tufts. The Department of Fundraising and Development has been working to raise money, and remains optimistic that Tufts will collect the necessary funds.
"It's basically full-steam ahead," said Elaine Brzycki, associate director of development for the faculty of Arts and Sciences. "It is a challenging project, so we are indeed grateful for leadership gifts that have come in so far."
One strategy to raise money is to maintain the Patrons of the Arts Council, a group whose purpose is to organize alumni, parents, and friends who have a passion for Tufts' arts and are excited about the University's programs in drama and dance, art history, fine arts, the Tufts galleries, and music. Bryzycki said that when she shows members of the community the architect's rendering of the music building, they are often enthusiastic and express interest in contributing to the cause.
Besides funding woes, there is controversy surrounding the proposed location of the building. Tufts is committed to building on the corner of Packard Ave. and Professors Row, where the Zeta Psi fraternity house and the Academic Resource Center currently stand. Residents of Zeta Psi are not anxious to leave their century-old house, one of the oldest structures on campus.
The University has suggested that Zeta Psi move to the old Financial Aid office, located further down Professors Row, but no agreement about the relocation has been reached.
"The discussions with Zeta Psi continue," Roberto said. "Both parties are freely and openly talking about this issue. I can't say the negotiations are ongoing, and it's very difficult to say when they will all come to a close because we all have to agree to the terms and the acquisitions."
The planning committee for the facility worked on the design of the building with architects and mechanical, electrical, and structural engineers last fall. Detailed drafts of the building have been composed, and it will now take several months to translate the drafts into working documents; these will then go to contractors in the area who will bid for the lucrative job.
The designing phase may be revisited if the location of the building changes or compromises are made to quell the rising construction costs. But according to Tufts, relocation is unlikely.
"This is the site we're focusing on right now," Roberto said. "When we design a building, it's for the context of where it's going to sit."
Estimates for the cost of the second construction phase have yet to be calculated. Phase two should start shortly after the completion of phase one, depending on timing and expenses.
The overall layout of the building has not changed dramatically and will still consist of three levels. The lowest level of the building will include teaching rooms, practice rooms, storage space, and offices. Entrances to the building will be on both Packard Ave. and Professor's Row. On the main level, there will be a lobby and a box office leading to an acoustically designed concert hall with 212 seats. There will also be several practice rooms, classrooms, and offices on the main floor. Once completed, the upper level will house a state-of-the art library.
