Sounds like The Knoll is a dump

[NorthCyd]

I have a 6 bedroom ranch that is 3000 square feet living space and it's nothing special. The knoll is only a little bigger than that and I'm sure the layout is much more antiquated. No good candidate would want to live there. Is this a thing where its a wink and a nod that this will be there "primary" residence while the president goes out and buys a second home that they actually live in 90% of the time?

 

[psycln11]

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?

Leath was Prez then. He probably spent that on a Flight Simulator in the basement!!

 

[FarmerCy1]

Request Rejected

Old article from when Wintersteen moved in, but it sounds like it was supposed to have $750K in updates, but Wintersteen chose to defer a lot of the updates. I would prefer to get some donors to kick in and update it similar to Truman renovating the White House in 1948, but that’s probably how we end up with the Sukup ballroom in the shape of a grain bin.

 

[JP4CY]

Sounds like if Lumpys was a residence.

 

[CYEATHAWK]

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.

Been restoring older structures for years. Huge difference between restoring and renovating.

Restoring is to keep it original. There are not many who know how to do that type of work anymore and those who do.........don't come cheap. Most of the timber in that house is probably true 2X and not the "nominal" 1 1/2 x 3 1/2 sold today. And it's probably rough cut and not an S4S. And it's probably cedar/oak and not pine or fir. When restoring........you don't substitute. In other words.......you can't jump in the truck and run to menards.

You don't replace cracked plaster and lath with drywall and texture. And if it's a lime base plaster with horse/hair.......then that's what you make. This isn't HGTV. It's a time consuming venture just like it was 125 years ago.

That said, having done lots of restorations............that's a good chunk of change.

 

[Tre4ISU]

If it's needed to attract candidates, bulldoze and build new. Not every single thing on campus can be held onto for historic value and most people couldn't tell you where this is or what it's called so it's not important.

If it's not needed to attract candidates, do something else with the property. I'm sure a new build of a home fit for a president is going to be in the $1.5-2 million range so it's a big deal, but restoring that thing is going to be a constant chasing of the tail.

 

[Hoggins]

Space is valuable, if you can put dorms or classrooms in that spot, that’s probably better.

That said, I love historic buildings and they need to be preserved, but also have purpose

 

[Die4Cy]

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

It isn't stealing if you return them afterward.

 

[IcSyU]

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.

10,000 sq ft of renovations would be millions and millions of dollars if you are keeping the historical side of things in mind and not just going all modern stuff.

 

[coolerifyoudid]

Bulldoze it and give my beloved sand volleyball courts a new home.

Yes, I'm still mad.

 

[CloneLawman]

Bulldoze it and give my beloved sand volleyball courts a new home.

Yes, I'm still mad.

But leave the hill to go sledding down-- used to occur on food service trays.

 

[NWICY]

I'm surprised how few posters know where the Knoll is. Campus has changed a lot since I was there, but a lot of buildings I still recognize.

 

[Drew0311]

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

Wonder why they require them to live in that place. That seems strange.

 

[Cydewayz]

I have a 6 bedroom ranch that is 3000 square feet living space and it's nothing special. The knoll is only a little bigger than that and I'm sure the layout is much more antiquated. No good candidate would want to live there. Is this a thing where its a wink and a nod that this will be there "primary" residence while the president goes out and buys a second home that they actually live in 90% of the time?

That is a good perspective. I imagine candidates are higher level folks at another school, likely living in a large/new type home and while the president is never there, it doesn't mean they aren't used to space/needs.

LOL, can you hear the interview "We understand we need to upgrade the Knoll for your living space, but want you to start....so we will be putting you up in your choice of University Village or Freddy Court"

 

[qwerty]

Google Maps

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

www.google.com

I once took a "nap" on the Knoll . . . trying to walk back to Helser from Granddaddy's at 2am. I made it as far as The Knoll before deciding far enough, I am sleeping here tonight. First campus cops, then Ames police had other ideas.

 

[Peter]

If it is on a historic register, renovations become way more complicated and you have to have things done custom in compliance with the historic register. Much more expensive.

 

[NWICY]

That is a good perspective. I imagine candidates are higher level folks at another school, likely living in a large/new type home and while the president is never there, it doesn't mean they aren't used to space/needs.

LOL, can you hear the interview "We understand we need to upgrade the Knoll for your living space, but want you to start....so we will be putting you up in your choice of University Village or Freddy Court"

Man if only the original Pammel court was still around.

 

[CYdTracked]

I hate to see old buildings demolished, but sounds like financially that renovating this structure vs building new would be a better use of funds. Can even try to design a new structure with similar features that still pay tribute to the original while building something modern and updated that will last for a long time.

I would hate to see the Knoll just abandoned and repurposed for some dormitory or education structure. Seems like a good time with being in between presidents to do something now one way or another and can put some clause in the next president's contract that new housing will be furnished once the project is completed or something.

 

[CascadeClone]

All I will say is it would be really cool to live there, on campus.

 

[Nor'MidWester]

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.

It's where the president has lived for like a 120 years lol. I figured everyone knew what the Knoll was.
And no I don't think there too many historic buildings in this country. In my opinion we've torn down too many historic buildings, not to get too deep but we lose part of our culture and tradition when we tear down the old. The whole reason ISU campus is pretty is because of the historic landscaping and buildings.
Not to say I'm for preserving every old building but let's try and keep the old historic stuff if we can, it's not just some random house.