NDSU Downtown Campus

[OrygunBison]

Here is a pic of the downtown college of business....

WOW!!! It's big AND ugly!!!

Say all you want about being hamstrung by an existing building structure but I, for one, don't really see the point of building downtown unless there's some good design associated with the project. This isn't it.

Regarding upgrades to existing historic structures on campus, they are rarely a cost-effective approach. That being said, the cost differential is usually made up through the presence that these buildings have on campus. They have architectural detailing that could never be done with today's level of craftsmanship or tools/materials. The plain fact of the matter is that saving a building is often worth an extra couple million bucks in the long run - for reasons that make accountants scratch their heads.

[bisonaudit]

[quote author=NDSUstudent link=1160680141/0#8 date=1162584841]Here is a pic of the downtown college of business....

WOW!!! *It's big AND ugly!!!

Say all you want about being hamstrung by an existing building structure but I, for one, don't really see the point of building downtown unless there's some good design associated with the project. *This isn't it.

Regarding upgrades to existing historic structures on campus, they are rarely a cost-effective approach. *That being said, the cost differential is usually made up through the presence that these buildings have on campus. *They have architectural detailing that could never be done with today's level of craftsmanship or tools/materials. *The plain fact of the matter is that saving a building is often worth an extra couple million bucks in the long run - for reasons that make accountants scratch their heads.[/quote]

The accountants are saving an existing building and doing it for less money than building new. So I guess historic preservation is only worth while if it's on campus. There is no option for the college of business to upgrade an existing on campus facility, the current arrangement is completely inadequate. It was a travesty 8 years ago when they started raising money for a new building, it's an even bigger travesty now.

If the complaints are 'location' and 'ugly', fine complain away. But don't try to expand the argument to bulldowsing history and fiscal irresponsibility.

[OrygunBison]

That design is not an example of historic preservation. If the building is crap to start with, don't try to elaborate on the crap. Expand and remodel to make it better than it was.

[Hammersmith]

The Pioneer Mutual building really isn't that bad. The original three floors are actually quite nice, although the upper addition leaves a lot to be desired. Unfortunately, there's not much you can do about that. There are two other factors to be considered before you write off this design as being ugly. 1. There are existing buildings on the grassy area in the foreground. From no vantage point will you be able to see the building as it is in the rendering. 2. We don't know what the Lincoln Mutual building will look like after its renovation. It's very possible that the architect is using the addition to visually link the two structures. I'm going to hold judgement until I see a final rendering/plan that includes the whole area.

BTW, I like the idea of a downtown campus(I want the music and theatre depts to move down there someday) and I'm glad the CoB was able to get more square footage for less money with this deal.


ps. It needs more columns. You can never have too many columns.

[cabis]

Anything that fractures your student body, fractures your alumni, fractures future giving and fractures the long term viability of your institution. Not a good idea in my opinion.

[TheBisonator]

Anything that fractures your student body, fractures your alumni, fractures future giving and fractures the long term viability of your institution. Not a good idea in my opinion.

I'm sorry, but that was a REALLY ignorant comment.

The Downtown Campus was probably the greatest thing to ever happen to the NDSU Art and Architecture programs.

It has also been the main catalyst in the growth of downtown.

THINK before you type, man!!!

[Paulie]

How far is this in miles?

[scottheck]

How far is this in miles? *

About a mile, it's on 10th St and 3rd Ave, SE corner of campus starts on University and 12th Ave: 9 blocks N and 3 very short blocks W. *It's not much longer than the Fargodome to the Music Bldg.

Anything that fractures your student body, fractures your alumni, fractures future giving and fractures the long term viability of your institution. Not a good idea in my opinion.

The addition of the Architect and Arts depts downtown has really helped the resurrection of downtown and helped those depts. *There are now young people patronizing businesses and spending money. *It's really coming alive. *Adding hundreds more consumers will only help downtown. *It sounds like everyone in the community, particularly downtown businesses are very excited.

It also suggests to the community that NDSU and its students are contributing rather than setting up their only little community out by the airport.

It was the Development Foundation who made the decision. *They are or represent the major givers. *From what I've heard it's done quite the opposite of fracturing the future giving. * *

[WYOBISONMAN]

As a MBA grad from NDSU, I have to say I do not like the idea of moving the College of Business off campus. I don't think it is good in any way........

[bisonmike]

As a graduate of the college of business at NDSU, I love the fact that it is moving downtown. NDSU has not been well know for it's business school. We've always had the smallest building, with the smallest classrooms.. This puts the college of business on the map. It gives them something unique, something to be proud of. Plus it is walking distance to the northern and chub's. How is this a bad thing? I only wish I were still going to school.