WATERLOO — Hawkeye Community College is planning to expand and renovate Butler Hall in a $34.1 million project starting this spring.
The board of trustees on Thursday unanimously approved seeking bids for the improvements, which would be completed in four phases and take until approximately January 2028. The phased approach will allow educators to continue teaching in-person courses during construction. Larson Construction of Independence will plan and design the proposed upgrades.
The plan is to add 30,000 square feet to the north side of the building plus update the interior spaces and building systems. Those include plumbing, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and doors among other upgrades. The addition of a storage shed and parking lot renovations will also be part of the project.
The improvements will allow the college to increase course offerings while better accommodating vocational and trades programs, apprenticeships, and certifications under one roof.
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A breakdown of estimated costs are $24.9 million for construction, $2.5 million for construction management services, $2 million for architect design fees, $1.2 million for equipment, $700,000 for the storage shed, $500,000 for the parking lot, and $300,000 for a variety of other service fees such as engineering and permits. The project will also have a $2 million contingency fund for expenses that exceed contract amounts.
The project will be paid for with revenues from the $35 million bond issue approved by voters in March 2023 as well as the college’s plant fund and equipment replacement levy. In addition, private fundraising will be done to cover some costs…