What is block obsolescence?
The term block obsolescence is often used to describe the simultaneous aging of a large block of campus facilities in a relatively short time period. Ohio invested heavily in capital infrastructure at the state’s colleges and universities during the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s to accommodate the baby boom generation. In fact, more than a quarter of all academic-related buildings were built between 1965 and 1985, and less than 20% were built, acquired or last rehabilitated after 1985. A significant number of these older campus buildings are in need of technological upgrades and physical improvements to meet today’s modern standards and building codes. This block of buildings will become increasingly obsolete as campus capital needs go unmet.
