2008 Woodie Awards
Hall of Justice Project Update
Cost Prohibits Demolition From Starting On Time
By Jason Fish
9/10/07 - News
This year's freshmen and new students may have seen a solitary building on the southeast corner of campus and wondered at its purpose. EPICS classes and music practice are no longer held in its rooms. The Hall of Justice will not see another incoming class.
The Hall of Justice (HOJ) was built in 1964 to accommodate the community's need for new public legal offices. The Colorado School of Mines purchased it from the city of Golden in 1992.
"Several years ago, the building was deemed to be structurally falling apart and considered unsafe," said Harold Cheuvront, Dean of Students.
According to the Dean, the principle problem of the HOJ was the asbestos throughout its structure. This hazard was one of the reasons the building was not completely remodeled and reinforced for longer use.
"It was cheaper to knock the whole thing down," said Cheuvront.
CSM submitted the program guideline and capital budget request for a number of construction projects, including demolishing the HOJ in the summer of 2006, following the 2004 campus master plan.
"The budget request was considered during the 2006-2007 legislative session, but was not included in the original list of construction projects funded last summer," said Paul Leef, CSM Architect.
A special appropriation supported some of the original proposal, depending on state revenue surpassing expectations for last year. School officials expect the result to be at least $2.8M, the majority of which will be used for the HOJ.
"If the state-appropriated funds become available in December, we would target asbestos abatement to start this spring with the building demolition possible as early as next summer," said Leef.
Those students who have had class in the HOJ may have wondered why the upper two floors of the four-story structure were never used.
"The third and fourth floors were too expensive to renovate for classroom use," said Cheuvront. "We bought the property for the land, not the rooms."
After demolition, a general use lecture hall and laboratory facility would most likely be built. According to the Dean, this new addition would ease up scheduling conflicts for class times and space for larger enrollments.
"The current campus facilities master plan identifies the site will likely be used for an academic building," said Leef. "However, we will be initiating a review of the campus master plan this year, and some aspects of the current plan may be updated."
Asked what effect the actual deconstruction process will have on Mines students and faculty, Leef said some of the parking around the area may have to be blocked off for a time, but officials will try to schedule work to cause as little disturbance and inconvenience as possible.
The Hall of Justice (HOJ) was built in 1964 to accommodate the community's need for new public legal offices. The Colorado School of Mines purchased it from the city of Golden in 1992.
"Several years ago, the building was deemed to be structurally falling apart and considered unsafe," said Harold Cheuvront, Dean of Students.
According to the Dean, the principle problem of the HOJ was the asbestos throughout its structure. This hazard was one of the reasons the building was not completely remodeled and reinforced for longer use.
"It was cheaper to knock the whole thing down," said Cheuvront.
CSM submitted the program guideline and capital budget request for a number of construction projects, including demolishing the HOJ in the summer of 2006, following the 2004 campus master plan.
"The budget request was considered during the 2006-2007 legislative session, but was not included in the original list of construction projects funded last summer," said Paul Leef, CSM Architect.
A special appropriation supported some of the original proposal, depending on state revenue surpassing expectations for last year. School officials expect the result to be at least $2.8M, the majority of which will be used for the HOJ.
"If the state-appropriated funds become available in December, we would target asbestos abatement to start this spring with the building demolition possible as early as next summer," said Leef.
Those students who have had class in the HOJ may have wondered why the upper two floors of the four-story structure were never used.
"The third and fourth floors were too expensive to renovate for classroom use," said Cheuvront. "We bought the property for the land, not the rooms."
After demolition, a general use lecture hall and laboratory facility would most likely be built. According to the Dean, this new addition would ease up scheduling conflicts for class times and space for larger enrollments.
"The current campus facilities master plan identifies the site will likely be used for an academic building," said Leef. "However, we will be initiating a review of the campus master plan this year, and some aspects of the current plan may be updated."
Asked what effect the actual deconstruction process will have on Mines students and faculty, Leef said some of the parking around the area may have to be blocked off for a time, but officials will try to schedule work to cause as little disturbance and inconvenience as possible.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Mike Brandt
posted 9/11/07 @ 12:22 PM MST
I applaud the decision to demolish the Hall of Justice and rebuild something that would be beneficial to the school.
A PARKING GARAGE!
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