photo by: Mike Yoder

Kansas University is asking the Kansas Board of Regents to approve a $3.7 million repair project for Dyche Hall, home to the University of Kansas Natural History Museum, on the Lawrence, Kan. campus. Recently the museum was named the top natural history museum among public universities by Best College Reviews.

Dyche Hall, one of Kansas University’s oldest and most signature buildings, is getting $3.7 million in repairs and renovations.

The Kansas Board of Regents approved allocating funds for work on the 1903 building on Wednesday.

“It’s in dire need of some repair work,” Greg Hoffman, Kansas Regents director of facilities, said in recommending the project for funding.

Dyche Hall, 1345 Jayhawk Blvd., is home to KU’s Natural History Museum and the Biodiversity Institute.

The original limestone building has seen two major additions: a seven-story wing in 1963 and a fireproof facility for specimens stored in alcohol in 1995, according to KU. Dyche Hall was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

In December the Regents approved $1.3 million in repairs and renovations to Dyche Hall, within a bundle of other smaller KU campus repair projects totaling $8.6 million for fiscal year 2017.

Regent Dave Murfin questioned the $2.4 million spike in cost for the Dyche Hall project.

The new figure represents a project scope increase, Hoffman said. Initially the project focused mostly on mechanical systems, he said, but it will now include exhibition space as well.

“As they’ve gotten into that project and looked at the true needs, there’s been an increase in the total project and budget,” Hoffman said.

Work at Dyche Hall will include repairing exterior stone, repairing and replacing the roof and renovating the seventh floor.

The majority of the seventh floor is within the original 1903 part of the building, according to a Regents memo. The approximately 8,400-square-foot space houses bird and mammal collections for the Biodiversity Institute and scientists who rely on those collections for their research. Because of the age of the HVAC systems, the humidity levels are increasing and ventilation systems need to be replaced.

The building’s “envelope” also has experienced significant aging and is in need of major renovations, according to the memo. The envelope refers to the interface between the inside and outside of the building.

The $3.7 million Dyche Hall repair and renovation job will be funded with $1.6 million in rehabilitation and repair funds and $2.1 million in KU Center for Research funds, according to the Regents.