Casa Hispanica Gets a Makeover

For a building that's otherwise easily overlooked, scaffolding sets Casa Hispánica apart. The antique chairs, tables, and framed portraits scattered throughout the building are the only vestiges of a once-magnificent edifice now in need of extensive renovations.

Sitting on 116th Street between Broadway and Riverside, Casa Hispanica has been home to the Spanish and Portuguese department since 1963. Though renovations have been ongoing since the summer, the work has been largely small-scale or cosmetic in nature.

Old, discolored linoleum floors have been torn up and replaced with carpeting, offices are being repainted, and the scaffolding outside of the building has been set up to work on the building's façade. The roof has even been redone to prevent leaks from damaging the upper floors.

"I have to say, it's taken a long time. I'm sure the offices hadn't been painted in several years," said professor Sarah Demeuse, whose fourth floor office was recently renovated.

"It's a fantastic space that just hasn't been taken care of as it might have," agreed professor Michael Agnew. "It's a very welcome change."

But no funds have been allocated for any other major work on the building. "What we need is a long-term plan," said Carlos Alonso, chair of the Spanish and Portuguese department. "Unfortunately, no final decision has been made yet by the administration."

Alonso said that a projected figure of $20 million has been considered for a complete overhaul of Casa. A significant portion of the funding might go toward installing an elevator in the building, which is currently ill-equipped for handicapped access, he said.

However, vice president of Academic and Residential Facilities Joe Ienuso emphasized that the estimate is premature.

"Though the building would benefit from a well-thought-out rehabilitation project, right now it's just too early to say what will be done or how much it will cost," he said.

At this time, it is not certain that the department will remain at the 116th Street location. Alonso explained that other departments' shifting to the Manhattanville area could open up space elsewhere for the expanding program.

"As much as we in the department love this building, there's a possibility that there might not be enough room here for growing needs," he said.

Ienuso affirmed that option was still up in the air as no solid decisions have been made.
"We would have to first work closely with Arts and Sciences to figure out how best to go ahead with the Casa," he said.

Iensuso said a general examination of the building would have to be executed before any final decisions are made. This would include an assessment of the building's plumbing, electric, engineering, and heating systems, among other structural aspects.

Despite the uncertainty of Casa's future, Alonso said the administration has been responsive to the department's needs so far.

"I'm very hopeful. The administration knows we must be a priority. It's not a question of whether something will be done, it's just a question of when," he said.