Extreme makeover: Teacher's College Edition

The fall completion of the $18.5 million Teachers College renovation comes with many positive responses, but much remains to be done and more money is needed to do it.

The second phase of the three-part renovation, completed in September, came in $100,000 under budget. However, that budget surplus is not enough to complete the phase-three renovations to Dyer Hall and an addition to Teachers College. 

According to Barrett Bamberger, project manager for the division of administration, finance planning, design and construction, the savings from the first two phases is slated to pay for new windows for Dyer and the Teachers addition. In addition, these parts of the building still need to be gutted and renovated.

The money for the first two phases came from state funding, but officials say that the rest of the money needed for the third phase must come from private fundraising and donations. 

According to Bamberger, Phase III was “never actually funded.”

“The idea was to start it, but the shuffling of priorities made things change,” Bamberger said.

The total cost of the final phase is unknown.   

“No final budget has been released,” Marc Petullo, senior planner of the division of administration, finance planning, design and construction, said on Tuesday, Sept. 30.
Though Phase III is not complete, both Petullo and Bamberger said they are proud of the final product of the first two phases.  

“The project team did a nice job,” Petullo said. “If you remember the condition of the building before the renovation, it’s a significant improvement to space and functionality.” 
Phase I included the interior renovation of the 500 level of Teachers College: upgraded classrooms, heating and cooling systems, a new elevator to meet the standards of theAmericans With Disabilities Act and newly finished floors, ceilings and paint.

Phase II involved the complete renovation of Teachers College, which was originally built in the 1930s.

The initial renovations began in December 2006 with the removal of asbestos in the pipe insulations, and subsequent renovations began in January 2007, resulting in new utility systems, mechanical systems, a new roof and an upgraded sprinkler system to meet current life safety standards. New finishes were also added, including new furniture.
Faculty and staff moved back into Teachers in early September, with positive reactions.

Marihelen Millar, director of development and alumni affairs, said the most important aspect of the renovation is that it shows the university’s commitment to the students and faculty of the College of Education, Criminal Justice and Human Services.

“I think it’s incredible…beautiful,” Millar said. “Finally we have a space that is worthy of our great students and faculty.”

Millar also said she appreciates how the renovation still kept the building’s original character.

“They did a nice job updating, but still keeping the architectural feel and detail,” Millar said.  “[The building] positions us well for our future, but pays homage to our past.” 

Millar’s number one goal for the final project is to raise private money through Proudly Cincinnati. The money is slated to help complete Phase III of the extensive renovations needed in Dyer Hall, which was built in 1931, and the Teachers addition, which was built in the 1950s.