WMU trustee says university has to balance resources and historic preservation

A Western Michigan University trustee says the board has to balance historic preservation and managing resources for the university. Bill Johnston made the comments during Thursday's board meeting.

Late last year Western announced plans to convert East Hall into an alumni center while the other buildings on Western's original campus would be demolished. Johnston says if resources were unlimited the university could consider other options.

Johnston made his comments after the chairman of the group Friends of Historic East Campus addressed the board. David Brose called for trustees to reconsider the plan to demolish three of the buildings. Brose did commend Western President John Dunn for developing the plan for converting East Hall into an alumni center. But Brose says a use should be found for the other buildings as well. 

After the meeting Dunn said the university has to consider what it would cost to rehab the buildings and then what they could be used for.