UNH- How Far West Do We Go?

[JB]

In fairness, I think this is probably a common issue with schools located out in the relative boonies, as there are usually limited options for repurposing or reuse outside the school itself. A funky outdated building in Allston (BU) or on Huntington Ave. (NU) can become a donut or coffee shop, or even an upscale bar or any number of options. With the locations of these now seemingly doomed UNH buildings, it's not like some honky-tonk establishments can pop up there without taking away from the bucolic nature of the campus. Obviously, that doesn't matter so much in urban Boston, or Providence to a lesser degree. It is what it is.

Then again ... taking government funding to the tune of $10 million (give or take) to do the "lipstick on a pig" temporary thingy, and then tearing these places down (with more government funding) is the kind of stuff that makes the folks in Concord get agita over further funding of the U.

In this case I think we can put aside the conspiracy theory. Last time Nesmith was renovated, 10 years ago, the University student population was still growing. The master plan was built around the student trends and honestly minor upgrades was probably responsible use of the money. Considering further other than Rudman (25+ years old now) the new buildings foot prints don't line up with the space available of the buildings going into mothball.

The last 5-6 years have been a sea shift for 4 year schools. Between students starting their first 2 years at community college and more choosing not to go to school. This drop in enrollment is causing an unexpected change.

That the University is now right sizing is the responsible thing to do. That is not wasting tax payer money it is making the right decision to best spend it with the facts and projections at the time. This is a classic hindsight is 20/20 so don't put good money after what can now be considered bad.