Sounds like The Knoll is a dump

[Pope]

Doubt future ISU presidential candidates would want to live there. The best solution might be to tear it down and rebuild.

Report: Iowa State presidential residence has ‘health and safety concerns’

AMES — Closing in on this week’s deadline for applications to lead Iowa State University as its 17th president, the Board of Regents this week will hear an update on

www.thegazette.com

 

[Cyclonepride]

Sounds like they decided upon what they want to do, and then got a review to support their wishes.

 

[Pope]

I've been in The Knoll before (it's been many years ago) and I wasn't impressed. It reminded me of one of those old historic hotels that might be nice to visit, but you wouldn't want to actually live in.

 

[SeventhSon]

I wasn't aware anybody actually lived there. I understood it was more of a ceremonial home used for receptions and parties.

 

[CtownCyclone]

Translation: it's a 120 year old house that needs renovations. Please, Dear Regents, give us some money.

(Last line read in Hassel's Blum voice)

 

[Pope]

I wasn't aware anybody actually lived there. I understood it was more of a ceremonial home used for receptions and parties.

ISU presidents are required to live there. Unfortunately, it could dissuade good candidates from even applying for the job.

 

[Clonehomer]

I wasn't aware anybody actually lived there. I understood it was more of a ceremonial home used for receptions and parties.

Sounds like it should be converted to that. I hate modernizing historic buildings. So let the president live off campus and renovate this place enough to preserve it and host gatherings and events.

 

[SeventhSon]

Just found this: https://www.desmoinesregister.com/s...nt-leath-harreld-ruud-knoll-regents/86998608/

What are they doing to that place such that it needs $750k renovation every 10 years?

 

[chuckd4735]

ISU presidents are required to live there. Unfortunately, it could dissuade good candidates from even applying for the job.

Unless it's a State Law, which I doubt is the case, it's pretty easy to not include that requirement in the contract for the next president.

 

[flycy]

Spent 1.5 million in 17' and it's a dump. Sounds like it is time to cut the losses. Maybe I'd remember if told, but I have no idea where it even is. Doesn't seem like it was too important to me as a student or alumni.

 

[BryceC]

Sounds like it should be converted to that. I hate modernizing historic buildings. So let the president live off campus and renovate this place enough to preserve it and host gatherings and events.

I’m the opposite. I’m totally against dumping hordes of money into old public buildings. Tear it down and do something they need on the site and let the prez buy their own house.

 

[cedarstrip]

Spent 1.5 million in 17' and it's a dump. Sounds like it is time to cut the losses. Maybe I'd remember if told, but I have no idea where it even is. Doesn't seem like it was too important to me as a student or alumni.

East of Memorial Union parking garage.

 

[RING4CY]

Spent 1.5 million in 17' and it's a dump. Sounds like it is time to cut the losses. Maybe I'd remember if told, but I have no idea where it even is. Doesn't seem like it was too important to me as a student or alumni.

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

www.google.com

 

[Nor'MidWester]

Sounds like it should be converted to that. I hate modernizing historic buildings. So let the president live off campus and renovate this place enough to preserve it and host gatherings and events.

Surely they can get some donors to pull money together and convert it into something. Isn't there an Order of the Knoll or something? Get them to fundraise. I hate seeing old historic buildings get demo'd.

 

[JM4CY]

If they tear it down, can they still leave a decent grade so kids can sled in the winter on stolen cafeteria trays?

 

[Cycsk]

I don’t think it would be too difficult for a new president to negotiate to live elsewhere.

Ideally, the president should live there, but at the moment I’m not sure anyone wants to try to justify that amount of money to make it what it should be. That would take a very special type of donor.

 

[Freebird]

Links to any interior photos? I've never been and have always been curious.

 

[BryceC]

Surely they can get some donors to pull money together and convert it into something. Isn't there an Order of the Knoll or something? Get them to fundraise. I hate seeing old historic buildings get demo'd.

What’s historic about the knoll? I didn’t even remember that was the name of the presidents house until opening this thread.

Way, way, way too many “historic” buildings in this country. Make way for the new and tear down this old money suck.

 

[cycloner29]

We used to use food service trays to sled down the north side of the knoll. Roommate fractured his leg.

We used to live in BWR right across from the knoll. VEISHEA riots back in ‘88. We were awakened by the chants, “Gordy! Gordy! Go back to Texas!” Those folks then decided to torch his Sunday paper.

 

[Frak]

Just found this: https://www.desmoinesregister.com/s...nt-leath-harreld-ruud-knoll-regents/86998608/

What are they doing to that place such that it needs $750k renovation every 10 years?

Yeah, I guess I don't get it. This isn't an old building with classrooms or labs or whatever, it's a house. I'm sure it has a ballroom or something for events, but it's a house. I know plenty of people who live in old houses and have renovated. They are not dropping $1.7M to renovate and then another $750k 10 years later. You should be able to gut the whole thing for way less than that.