The Diagnosis

In May the university conducted a Facility Condition Assessment Program study of the Belk Tower to assess its safety.

According to the FCAP Executive Summary Report, there were a number of issues, many related to the level of moisture within the structure and general deterioration.

The accumulation of water and humidity led to rusting of electrical equipment and landing platforms in the Tower.

A 2008 version of the report had indicated rusting electrical equipment and problems with joints in the walls and the tower’s brick base. The report estimated the suggested repairs would cost $112,000.

Some repairs were made to the Tower since then, but not the major repairs the report indicated were needed. Electrical equipment that was replaced in 2012 had since rusted.

The 2015 report stressed the need for a structural analysis. Problems needing immediate attention would cost $345,156.

Following the FCAP report, the university would hire SKA Consulting Engineers to analyze the tower in July. SKA delivered the final structural integrity report on Aug. 21.

But before SKA even submitted a proposal for completing a structural analysis, Director of Facilities Planning Chris Gilbert contacted fellow facilities staff about a concept for a new tower. Gilbert is the lead on the Belk Tower project.

In an email dated June 3, Gilbert wrote, “A draft of something I hope we will be able to use to kick off the tower discussion and the landscape improvement project.”

Screenshot of presentation from June 3 email Gilbert created in promoting the concept of a new tower.

On July 22, Gilbert, with three additional facilities management employees, met with Chris Weiant from Linda Construction to discuss the Belk Tower’s demolition.

“Implosion looks to be the least expensive at this point in time, but I will walk thru the scenarios and break it out,” Weiant emailed Gilbert the day after the meeting.

Gilbert responded, “A cost for ‘laying it down’ vs. implosion is good because, when I sell this idea, the work may be incorporated with a renovation/ reworking of the entire quad.”

Laura Construction withdrew from the project in early August due to an insurance issue. D.H. Griffin is managing the demolition.

Render provided by Messer Construction to UNC Charlotte on September 9.

Stephanie Kegley with Messer Construction contacted Gilbert on August 13 about completing a preliminary model of a new tower and submitting demolition plans.

Gilbert shared the in-house design from June, but indicated that once an architect was hired the design would likely not be the same.

A week after discussion with Messer, the SKA structural analysis report was completed. The report determined that there were issues that needed to be addressed in the next 12–18 months, but “the observed distress is not an immediate safety concern.”

The SKA structural analysis report concluded:

“Overall, the 50 year old precast concrete tower structure appears to be in fair condition. However, there are elements of the tower construction that are experiencing significant distress, such as, the steel embeds and shear plates located every 7 feet for the full height of the 150’ tall tower. The majority of these steel plates are experiencing corrosion ranging from light to severe with delamination. The observed distress is not an immediate safety concern, but if not addressed within the next 12 to 18 months could threaten the structural integrity of the tower.”

Associate Vice Chancellor for Facilities Phil Jones informed Dubois of the Belk Tower’s condition in early September. The information was presented to the Chancellor’s cabinet on Sept. 21.

Update: The university confirmed that Dubois was not aware of issues with the Belk Tower prior to Sept. 2.

After reviewing the SKA report provided by Gilbert following the cabinet presentation, Dubois questioned whether the report really indicated a dire situation.

Gilbert assured Dubois there was a real safety threat, and Dubois again sought reassurance.

“OK. So you are confident that I can play Chicken Little — the sky is falling?” Dubois asked.

“Yes Sir! I will do it for you if you’d like,” Gilbert said. “As an Alum myself, I think this is a great opportunity — an event to replace it and revitalize campus.”