Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1910 [PAGE 226]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

188

U N I V E R S I T Y OF I L L I N O I S .

[June 24

UKBANA, I I I . , June 23, 1909.

President Edmund J. James, University of Illinois: I submit herewith a general summary of the repairs which I recommend on the several University buildings, together with a more detailed statement of the needs with regard to each particular building. Repairs to plumbing and heating apparatus cannot be delayed and so are taken care of from time to time as occasion arises. This of course is largely true with regard to repairs to roofs. This budget is therefore chiefly painting and of the whole amount, $6,500.00 is for interior painting, and $2,400.00 for exterior painting. I do not consider it economical to use water color paint for interior surfaces, and in the last few years we have not used anything but the flat oil colors, so there is no need of washing off the walls before redecorating them; and it also makes it possible to paint portions of a room without doing the room all over again, as is necessary when water color is used.^ The cost of a coat of oil colors is less than the cost of washing off^the^ water color and putting on a new coat, so that I believe our present plan is much more economical as well as the more sanitary one. Our roofs constantly give us trouble and are responsible for considerable re-decorating of the interiors, so that I feel it is economy in the long run for us to put on the very best roofs' possible to secure, not using any tin whatever in connection with' them. Roofs put on with copper and slate ought not to give any trouble. Leaky radiators are another source of trouble and in our new buildings we are using a system in which the air valves are all piped up to a return line, so that there can be no ,leakage of water from the radiators. I believe that this will materially assist in preventing damage to our ceilings. Some of the recommendations are the result of criticisms made by the fire inspector in his inspection reports. It would be very easy to spend double the amount that I have recommended at the present time and even then our buildings would not be brought up to the standard which we would like to see, but I have taken our resources into consideration and recommend the things which seemed to .me most urgent. The Agricultural buildings on the South Farm: These include the new circular dairy barn and residence, the old farm , house and barns, together with the feed bins and shelters in the paddocks. All of these structures, with the exception of the new dairy barn and residence should be painted, which with a few minor repairs will cost $375.00. The double sliding doors on the circular dairy barn need to be rebuilt, which will cost about $50.00. The Agronomy building, Farm Mechanics building, Carriage House, Dairy buildings, Beef Cattle building, Horticultural building, and all of the barns and sheds west of the Beef Cattle building should be repainted, which including incidental repairs will probably cost $800.00. The south doors on the Beef Cattle building must be reconstructed at a cost of about $35.00. The Agronomy and Horticultural Green Houses just south of the Agricultural building are in such a bad condition that it is questionable whether they can be repaired. If it was certain that these buildings were to stay in this position, I would certainly advise reconstructing the buildings with steel frame work, but under the circumstances, I think it is best to prop them up so they will last a little longer, which will involve an Expense for general repairs of $150.00; and for painting $150.00. The brick potting house in connection with them is in good condition though it needs some general repairing and painting which will cost about $100.00. The main Agricultural building is in good condition, both on the exterior and interior, because of having been rather extensively remodeled and repaired two years ago. Nothing need be included at the present time for further improvements. Armory—The Armory is not generally in very bad condition, though the roof cannot be expected to last must longer, as it is of tin and has about