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Demolition of Broyhill Events Center Planned to Make Way for ASU Campus Expansion

By Josiah Clark

As part of ASU’s Master Plan 20/20, campus leaders are planning to demolish the former Broyhill Inn and Conference Center, located at 775 Bodenheimer Drive in Boone.

The property will be demolished in order to make way for future campus expansion projects. Demolition plans are still pending state approval, and it has not yet been officially decided what will happen with the land.

The Entrance of the Broyhill Events Center. Photos by Josiah Clark.
The Entrance of the Broyhill Events Center. Photos by Josiah Clark.

Gregory Lovins, ASU Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs, said campus leadership decided to close the Broyhill Events Center after 2011-2012 fiscal budget cuts no longer allowed for costly routine upkeep. In the four years since the property was permanently closed to the public, the university has struggled to decide how to best utilize the buildings.

Since then, the buildings on the property, which included 20 function rooms and 83 guest rooms, have been used as a “swing space” to house temporary office spaces and the campus fermentation sciences program.

Lovins confirmed that in order to advance ASU’s Master Plan 20/20 to expand the campus in a sustainable manner, it was decided that the property should be used differently, or torn down altogether to make way for campus growth.

An architect was hired to help determine whether or not the buildings could be renovated and turned into campus housing. However, renovation did not turn out to be an affordable option.

“We were advised by experts that the cost of renovation far exceeded any other alternative, so we decided to demolish the property,” said Lovins, who also confirmed that a timeline is being developed, but a specific date for demolition has not yet been set.

In the mean time, campus leaders are seeking feedback from the ASU community.

As far as how to proceed after demolition, he said leadership is in the process of “receiving input.”

“We want to be very inclusive with our campus. We haven’t decided exactly what is going to go on the property, but we will certainly involve the faculty, staff and students, and seek their input,” said Lovins.

An official report from March 18, 2010 describes ASU’s Master Plan 20/20 as a plan that “supports new and ongoing academic and student life initiatives while remaining steadfast in maintaining and adding to the beauty of our campus.”

The plan includes recommendations for additional academic and residential spaces, transportation management, and environmental sustainability. Details for ASU’s Master Plan 20/20 can be found here.

Built in 1973, the Broyhill Events Center, formerly known as the Broyhill Inn and Conference Center, served the campus and public for events and programs.

A statement from the Broyhill Events Center website says: “Thanks to all of our friends that have spent time with us for the last 40 years.”

Hank T. Foreman, the Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for University Advancement and Chief Communications Officer, released the following statement regarding the future of the Broyhill Inn property:

“Appalachian’s due diligence regarding the future of the Broyhill Inn property has been in process for more than three years and will continue in the months ahead. Paramount to this process is the legacy of support from the Broyhill family and the university’s deep appreciation for their years of support. The ultimate use for this site will expand from meeting immediate campus needs to creating a place that is strategic and visionary in its support of the university – something that the Broyhill family legacy has embodied for decades. As the process moves forward, transparency and engagement of both the campus and off campus communities will be critical in shaping the future for this site. The information learned over the past years of due diligence will provide detailed information related to the physical and programmatic sustainability of the site and its building. Any recommendation including demolition is a multi-stepped approval process to ensure the ultimate decision has been thoroughly reviewed and represents the best stewardship of the property entrusted to the university’s care.”

See some photos below of the Broyhill Events Center:

The Broyhill Events Center

Broyhill

Broyhill Events Center