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General Ohio University Discussion/Alumni Events Topic
Topic: New digs for the prez
Page: 1 of 4
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RPO R6V
3/19/2015 10:28 PM
http://www.athensnews.com/ohio/article-44588-ou-president...
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The Optimist
3/20/2015 9:36 AM
Wonder if they had to give a security deposit to Wharton in case any McDavis' parties get out of hand...
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ts1227
3/20/2015 9:11 PM
Reading between the lines, I'd say there's about zero chance the house on Park Place ever houses a President again. I know Mr. Brightbill is on here some, so he may have more to say on it.

It was always one of those neat things to know that the President lived right on campus, makes for a good talking point when HS students visit, but that house is OLD and I have a feeling this thorough review will reveal it's not worth all of the repairs it truly needs. Plus, it's not a common thing anymore to have them on campus, and as was mentioned it could eventually end up becoming a hindrance down the road when it becomes time for a new prez.
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Ohio69
3/24/2015 6:59 PM
ts1227 wrote:expand_more
Reading between the lines, I'd say there's about zero chance the house on Park Place ever houses a President again. I know Mr. Brightbill is on here some, so he may have more to say on it.

It was always one of those neat things to know that the President lived right on campus, makes for a good talking point when HS students visit, but that house is OLD and I have a feeling this thorough review will reveal it's not worth all of the repairs it truly needs. Plus, it's not a common thing anymore to have them on campus, and as was mentioned it could eventually end up becoming a hindrance down the road when it becomes time for a new prez.
ts1227 must not have gotten the email requiring everyone to going nuts over this. Far too reasonable a post.
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rpbobcat
3/25/2015 7:02 AM
Ohio69 wrote:expand_more
Reading between the lines, I'd say there's about zero chance the house on Park Place ever houses a President again. I know Mr. Brightbill is on here some, so he may have more to say on it.

It was always one of those neat things to know that the President lived right on campus, makes for a good talking point when HS students visit, but that house is OLD and I have a feeling this thorough review will reveal it's not worth all of the repairs it truly needs. Plus, it's not a common thing anymore to have them on campus, and as was mentioned it could eventually end up becoming a hindrance down the road when it becomes time for a new prez.
ts1227 must not have gotten the email requiring everyone to going nuts over this. Far too reasonable a post.
Based on the letter to the editor in yeasterday's (3/24) The Post,Vedder got the email.
And,based on the letter to the editor in toady's The Post,so did a number of faculty members.
Last Edited: 3/25/2015 3:27:29 PM by rpbobcat
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MedinaCat
3/25/2015 8:19 AM
Ohio69 wrote:expand_more
Reading between the lines, I'd say there's about zero chance the house on Park Place ever houses a President again. I know Mr. Brightbill is on here some, so he may have more to say on it.

It was always one of those neat things to know that the President lived right on campus, makes for a good talking point when HS students visit, but that house is OLD and I have a feeling this thorough review will reveal it's not worth all of the repairs it truly needs. Plus, it's not a common thing anymore to have them on campus, and as was mentioned it could eventually end up becoming a hindrance down the road when it becomes time for a new prez.
ts1227 must not have gotten the email requiring everyone to going nuts over this. Far too reasonable a post.
I've been lurking on this thread waiting for it to blow up. Everyone must be thawing our from the brutal winter.
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Alan Swank
3/25/2015 8:55 PM
ts1227 wrote:expand_more
Reading between the lines, I'd say there's about zero chance the house on Park Place ever houses a President again. I know Mr. Brightbill is on here some, so he may have more to say on it.

It was always one of those neat things to know that the President lived right on campus, makes for a good talking point when HS students visit, but that house is OLD and I have a feeling this thorough review will reveal it's not worth all of the repairs it truly needs. Plus, it's not a common thing anymore to have them on campus, and as was mentioned it could eventually end up becoming a hindrance down the road when it becomes time for a new prez.
I doubt if B - bill is coming on here again. As for the house, it's a great house and an asset to OU. There is a 50+ year tradition here and if a possible new person doesn't want to live there then they can take another job.
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rpbobcat
3/26/2015 8:09 AM
As I recall,in addition to bats,the first reports about the President's residence also mentioned other issues with the house,including "structurial problems".

I guess those issues weren't "sexy" enough,so all anyone seems to be talking about are the bats.

The issue of "structural problems" was finally mentioned in Dina Berliner's article in today's (3/26) The Post.

I'm an engineer who has inspected hundreds of houses.I've also provided expert testimony in court cases which involved houses and industrial buildings with structural issues.

The fact that bats got into the house,apparently more then once,is a concern.

"Structural problems" add a whole differnet dynamic to the situation.
Depending on the nature and severity of the problems,you could be looking at extensive repairs,including partial reconstruction of the structure.
In many cases,I've found that it is not cost effective to repair the structure.

It may be that the path that O.U. is taking is the most prudent approach to this situation.
I don't know,but unlike a lot of people (83 faculty members and the vice president of the student senate come to mind),I don't pretend to.
Last Edited: 3/26/2015 8:10:16 AM by rpbobcat
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OhioCatFan
3/26/2015 11:27 AM
This house has historic significance so I doubt it'll be torn down, but repair work might be necessary before it is used for some other university purpose. Another president might actually want to move back on campus. I've talked with presidents who greatly prefer on-campus housing for their families.
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C Money
3/26/2015 11:56 AM
Is it this species?
http://www.fws.gov/Midwest/Endangered/mammals/inba/index....


If so, I think there are very specific steps that have to be taken to remove the bats, before any repair work can be done (my wife's cousins ran into this problem when doing some renovations...I'm not sure what the final resolution was, though).
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Mike Johnson
3/26/2015 12:22 PM
ts1227 wrote:expand_more
Reading between the lines, I'd say there's about zero chance the house on Park Place ever houses a President again. I know Mr. Brightbill is on here some, so he may have more to say on it.

It was always one of those neat things to know that the President lived right on campus, makes for a good talking point when HS students visit, but that house is OLD and I have a feeling this thorough review will reveal it's not worth all of the repairs it truly needs. Plus, it's not a common thing anymore to have them on campus, and as was mentioned it could eventually end up becoming a hindrance down the road when it becomes time for a new prez.
Put that "old house" in most European and Asian countries, and the conclusion likely would be: We will do what is necessary to rehab or restore and keep it as part of our heritage.

Abroad I have visited schools centuries old, and there is visible pride in them and iron determination to keep them functioning as educational institutions - to their students' benefit.
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cc-cat
3/26/2015 1:59 PM
Mike Johnson wrote:expand_more
Reading between the lines, I'd say there's about zero chance the house on Park Place ever houses a President again. I know Mr. Brightbill is on here some, so he may have more to say on it.

It was always one of those neat things to know that the President lived right on campus, makes for a good talking point when HS students visit, but that house is OLD and I have a feeling this thorough review will reveal it's not worth all of the repairs it truly needs. Plus, it's not a common thing anymore to have them on campus, and as was mentioned it could eventually end up becoming a hindrance down the road when it becomes time for a new prez.
Put that "old house" in most European and Asian countries, and the conclusion likely would be: We will do what is necessary to rehab or restore and keep it as part of our heritage.
But that would be a long commute.
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ts1227
3/26/2015 7:37 PM
One thing I would like to know is where the price tag came from, considering it appraises for about 45% of what they're paying. I understand it includes vacant land, but that's still only about 60% of the $1.2 million in total.

As I mentioned I have no issue with the "why", just the "how much."
Last Edited: 3/26/2015 7:44:33 PM by ts1227
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mcbin
3/26/2015 9:20 PM
I can't remember where I read it but I thought it was last 'renovated' in the 90s. I'm sure a lot can happen in 20+ years but surely it can't be a lost cause all of a sudden. So I'm guessing whatever it is can be fixed up. Should be useful for someone/some group. Unless the house is falling down the hill like stuff on W. Washington seems to be.

Count me as one who thinks it very cool that the president lived/lives on campus. Not sure how many do, but it is nice that ours has for the past however many years. It's great, but not the end of the world though.

Going forward however, I definitely don't want to miss out on great presidential candidates because we're forcing them into a specific address in Athens. If that guy/gal wants to live on Park Pl, Court St, Coventry Ln, or in the Plains with the 'voice', I just want the best person for the job.
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OhioStunter
3/27/2015 8:49 AM
rpbobcat wrote:expand_more
As I recall,in addition to bats,the first reports about the President's residence also mentioned other issues with the house,including "structurial problems".

I guess those issues weren't "sexy" enough,so all anyone seems to be talking about are the bats.

The issue of "structural problems" was finally mentioned in Dina Berliner's article in today's (3/26) The Post.

I'm an engineer who has inspected hundreds of houses.I've also provided expert testimony in court cases which involved houses and industrial buildings with structural issues.

The fact that bats got into the house,apparently more then once,is a concern.

"Structural problems" add a whole differnet dynamic to the situation.
Depending on the nature and severity of the problems,you could be looking at extensive repairs,including partial reconstruction of the structure.
In many cases,I've found that it is not cost effective to repair the structure.

It may be that the path that O.U. is taking is the most prudent approach to this situation.
I don't know,but unlike a lot of people (83 faculty members and the vice president of the student senate come to mind),I don't pretend to.
I wonder what percentage of off-campus houses have structural problems. My house senior year nearly slid down the hill onto the roof of Gold Star Chili.
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Jeff Johnson
3/27/2015 9:08 AM
Alan Swank wrote:expand_more
Reading between the lines, I'd say there's about zero chance the house on Park Place ever houses a President again. I know Mr. Brightbill is on here some, so he may have more to say on it.

It was always one of those neat things to know that the President lived right on campus, makes for a good talking point when HS students visit, but that house is OLD and I have a feeling this thorough review will reveal it's not worth all of the repairs it truly needs. Plus, it's not a common thing anymore to have them on campus, and as was mentioned it could eventually end up becoming a hindrance down the road when it becomes time for a new prez.
I doubt if B - bill is coming on here again. As for the house, it's a great house and an asset to OU. There is a 50+ year tradition here and if a possible new person doesn't want to live there then they can take another job.
Actually Alan, I saw Mr. Brightbill among the list of registered users on line just the other day, so he must at least read the forums if not post.
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Alan Swank
3/27/2015 10:26 AM
Jeff Johnson wrote:expand_more
Reading between the lines, I'd say there's about zero chance the house on Park Place ever houses a President again. I know Mr. Brightbill is on here some, so he may have more to say on it.

It was always one of those neat things to know that the President lived right on campus, makes for a good talking point when HS students visit, but that house is OLD and I have a feeling this thorough review will reveal it's not worth all of the repairs it truly needs. Plus, it's not a common thing anymore to have them on campus, and as was mentioned it could eventually end up becoming a hindrance down the road when it becomes time for a new prez.
I doubt if B - bill is coming on here again. As for the house, it's a great house and an asset to OU. There is a 50+ year tradition here and if a possible new person doesn't want to live there then they can take another job.
Actually Alan, I saw Mr. Brightbill among the list of registered users on line just the other day, so he must at least read the forums if not post.
I saw that too and yes, he used to post. Then he started babbling corporate speak about student trustees and some other things and took a bit of a beating. The board of trustees and the foundation aren't really popular folks right now in Athens.
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SBH
3/27/2015 11:22 AM
This is one of those times when I'm glad I don't live in Athens. How many bat incursions/attacks - and broken bones - do they need to endure before the community will agree that there's a serious problem with that old house? I'm sure Rod didn't just move out in a huff and insist the Foundation buy him a new place.
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rpbobcat
3/27/2015 3:23 PM
OhioStunter wrote:expand_more
As I recall,in addition to bats,the first reports about the President's residence also mentioned other issues with the house,including "structurial problems".

I guess those issues weren't "sexy" enough,so all anyone seems to be talking about are the bats.

The issue of "structural problems" was finally mentioned in Dina Berliner's article in today's (3/26) The Post.

I'm an engineer who has inspected hundreds of houses.I've also provided expert testimony in court cases which involved houses and industrial buildings with structural issues.

The fact that bats got into the house,apparently more then once,is a concern.

"Structural problems" add a whole differnet dynamic to the situation.
Depending on the nature and severity of the problems,you could be looking at extensive repairs,including partial reconstruction of the structure.
In many cases,I've found that it is not cost effective to repair the structure.

It may be that the path that O.U. is taking is the most prudent approach to this situation.
I don't know,but unlike a lot of people (83 faculty members and the vice president of the student senate come to mind),I don't pretend to.
I wonder what percentage of off-campus houses have structural problems. My house senior year nearly slid down the hill onto the roof of Gold Star Chili.
All I can say is that everytime I walk around Athens and look at the some of the off campus houses or read articles about how, when it gets cold, they can't get the inside temperatures higer then the 50's I wonder how they are able to get/keep Certificates of Occupancy.
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Alan Swank
3/27/2015 3:31 PM
SBH wrote:expand_more
This is one of those times when I'm glad I don't live in Athens. How many bat incursions/attacks - and broken bones - do they need to endure before the community will agree that there's a serious problem with that old house? I'm sure Rod didn't just move out in a huff and insist the Foundation buy him a new place.
Your entertainment dollar goes a long way in Athens. All you have to do is pick up the ANews or Post, read the comments online or Facebook posts and most of your week is taken care of.
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The Optimist
3/28/2015 9:18 AM
Alan Swank wrote:expand_more
This is one of those times when I'm glad I don't live in Athens. How many bat incursions/attacks - and broken bones - do they need to endure before the community will agree that there's a serious problem with that old house? I'm sure Rod didn't just move out in a huff and insist the Foundation buy him a new place.
Your entertainment dollar goes a long way in Athens. All you have to do is pick up the ANews or Post, read the comments online or Facebook posts and most of your week is taken care of.

Let me add that following comments on related Twitter accounts and watching videos on Snapchat and now Periscope live-streams can be quite entertaining.

No shortage of interesting content coming out of Athens.
Last Edited: 3/28/2015 9:19:05 AM by The Optimist
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DelBobcat
3/30/2015 10:21 AM
ts1227 wrote:expand_more
One thing I would like to know is where the price tag came from, considering it appraises for about 45% of what they're paying. I understand it includes vacant land, but that's still only about 60% of the $1.2 million in total.

As I mentioned I have no issue with the "why", just the "how much."
Well tax appraisals are rarely as high as what a house would fetch on the open market. It's usually some percentage of the actual market value. A few of the media reports have noted that but a lot of people are misusing that number.
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ts1227
3/30/2015 11:56 AM
DelBobcat wrote:expand_more
One thing I would like to know is where the price tag came from, considering it appraises for about 45% of what they're paying. I understand it includes vacant land, but that's still only about 60% of the $1.2 million in total.

As I mentioned I have no issue with the "why", just the "how much."
Well tax appraisals are rarely as high as what a house would fetch on the open market. It's usually some percentage of the actual market value. A few of the media reports have noted that but a lot of people are misusing that number.
Good point. County appraisals are always low compared to market value/selling prices, but generally not to the tune of half as much. So while the price tag of $1.2 M may not be off as bad as is being presented, it's still off pretty damn bad.
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DelBobcat
3/31/2015 9:57 AM
ts1227 wrote:expand_more
One thing I would like to know is where the price tag came from, considering it appraises for about 45% of what they're paying. I understand it includes vacant land, but that's still only about 60% of the $1.2 million in total.

As I mentioned I have no issue with the "why", just the "how much."
Well tax appraisals are rarely as high as what a house would fetch on the open market. It's usually some percentage of the actual market value. A few of the media reports have noted that but a lot of people are misusing that number.
Good point. County appraisals are always low compared to market value/selling prices, but generally not to the tune of half as much. So while the price tag of $1.2 M may not be off as bad as is being presented, it's still off pretty damn bad.
You may be right, but not necessarily. Here in Philadelphia, until last year, many appraisals were only about 20% or so of what properties were going for in the open market. It was a quirk of the way the tax bills were calculated and the fact that the city hadn't updated the appraisals in so long. Without knowing more, that appraisal number means nothing to me.
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DelBobcat
3/31/2015 10:14 AM
As a quick check I went to Trulia and looked at properties on Athens southside. One sold for $358,000 in 2011 and had a 2013 tax assessment of $115,000. That's only 32% of the actual value. Another sold for $150,000 and had a tax assessment of $46,000. That's about 31%. A third had a 2011 market assessment of $305,000 and a 2013 tax assessment of $106,000. That's about 35%.

So if you extrapolate, the Coventry Lane property has a tax assessment of $581,000 and should sell for somewhere between $1,660,000 and $1,936,000. By that measure the university would be getting a very good deal. Throw in the extra lots and the deal gets even sweeter.

Now, that is obviously a very unscientific analysis. But it goes to show that the tax assessments are way lower than the price homes are going for on the market in Athens.
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