Iowa State University is planning to modernize a nearly 60-year-old facility.
Atanasoff Hall belongs to the university’s Department of Computer Science, and has not undergone a comprehensive renovation since it was first built in 1969.
A complete renovation of Atanasoff Hall is essential “to provide the Department of Computer Science with modern teaching, research and administrative facilities,” according to Iowa Board of Regents documents.
The project was part of the five-year capital plan for state funds that the Iowa Board of Regents approved Sept. 18.
The renovation is planned for the 2027 fiscal year and is estimated to cost $33 million. Iowa State is asking for $8 million in state capital appropriations, to be paid over the next two fiscal years, to update and modernize Atanasoff Hall.
The university would fundraise the remaining $25 million, said Sean Reeder, Iowa State’s senior vice president for operations and finance.
The project schedule estimates five years to complete the project. Planning and design are projected to take a little over two years, bidding two months and construction two and a half years.
57-year-old facility has ‘cramped and outdated’ spaces
Atanasoff Hall was built when the university’s Department of Computer Science was established in 1969, and most of the building’s systems are original.
The building was named for John Vincent Atanasoff, who is recognized as the inventor of the digital computer.
The building’s labs and offices are “cramped and outdated,” according to regents documents, and the university wants to provide a modern and efficient space to attract top students and faculty.
“Research-active faculty would have the resources to develop hardware, software, and data analytics tools that drive the nation’s technology frontier,” regents documents said. “Moreover, the renovated space would foster entrepreneurial opportunities across the state and contribute to educating a cyber-savvy Iowa workforce.”
Modern facility will support growing computer science department
Computer science remains one of the most important departments on the Iowa State campus, Reeder said.
With the recent launch of its artificial intelligence programs in undergraduate and graduate levels, it’s nearly tripled in size. As of fall 2024, 877 undergraduate and 219 graduate students are enrolled.
“This era of technological education is one that requires modern infrastructure and forward-thinking investment,” Reeder said. “As we all know, AI is rapidly changing our world, transforming industries, economies and everyday lives; it’s essential that we’re equipped to train our students for this coming change.”
Celia Brocker is a government, crime, political and education reporter for the Ames Tribune. She can be reached at CBrocker@gannett.com.
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