University of Akron Property Condition Assessment

The University of Akron (UA) has over 80 buildings on 218 acres, with academics rooted in engineering, business, technology, health care, and arts and sciences. Recent enrollment declines have led UA leadership to consider options for balancing the budget and supporting financial sustainability. One such option includes the potential for monetizing the UA’s residence halls. The portfolio consists of nine two- to sixteen-story residence halls, Bulger, Exchange Street, Honors, Orr, Ritchie, Sisler-McFawn, South, Spanton, and Spicer Residence Halls, containing a reported total of approximately 857,110 square feet of gross area. The University retained Walker to observe and document the exposed and readily visible and accessible material and building system deficiencies that were considered significant to the property; and evaluate existing conditions that could considerably impact ongoing operations during the evaluation period.

During the property condition assessment, Walker identified potential safety hazards related to uneven walking surfaces at the concrete sidewalks and concrete-paved courtyards as trip hazards. Identified site-related deficiencies that included repair recommendations to site stairs and site-related accessible deficiencies at ramps and provisions for additional accessible parking spaces at select buildings.

After performing the property condition assessment, Walker provided recommended repairs, capital expenditures forecast, and suggested upgrades. The recommended repairs include the replacement of or will extend the service life of select site, building exterior, roof, interior, and mechanical system components projected over a 20-year evaluation period.