Iowa State School Faces $10 Million in Costs to Repair Fire Damaged Building

It will likely cost $10 million for the University of Northern Iowa to restore a building that was damaged in a fire more than a year ago.

At a Board of Regents meeting, officials said the Legislature paid $2 million to cover the university’s insurance deductible. UNI Vice President for Administration and Finance, Tom Schellhardt, said UNI is close to reaching a settlement with its insurance company that will cover remaining costs.

Gilchrist Hall is UNI’s main administrative building with student services and campus security. It sustained major smoke and fire damage in a fire that was intentionally set more than a year ago. Officials said they hope to move back into the building by January 2008.