Facilities at the University of Arkansas’ main campus at Fayetteville need at least $215 million of maintenance, chancellor G. David Gearhart told UA System trustees last week. He said 75 university buildings need extensive upgrades after years of deferring maintenance.
“I say that not to cast stones at any individual or previous administration by any means, because tough fiscal decisions have had to be made during that time, just like the decisions we face in trying economic times today,” Gearhart told the board’s building and grounds committee. “But we feel that we simply cannot afford to put off these necessary infrastructure investments any longer.”
Some buildings may need to be torn down if not repaired soon, he said.
The university said replacing the deteriorating structures would cost $1.5 billion. Several of the facilities were built in the 1930s, with one dating back to 1913.
Administrators will prepare a long-term capital renewal plan, Gearhart said, but it could 10 to 15 years to work down the backlog.
A plan for financing the work will be available by April, he said. Part of the funding will come from a student fee of $2 per credit hour approved by the board in March.
