Razing the Mines Building

Earlier this year, the Mines Building, constructed in 1928 and located on First South just east of the traffic light at Wolcott Ave., came down to make way for a parking lot for the new Frederick Albert Sutton Building. The Mines Building had housed offices for the Bureau of Mines as well as classrooms and labs for students. Plans to demolish the building were well known and were part of the overall plan for the Sutton Building project. However, very quietly, and without notice, the Military Sciences Building (originally named the Metallurgy Building) also came down. Located immediately west of the Mines Building, also on First South, it was one of the oldest buildings on campus—the original structure was built in 1904. In 1927, an addition was added, and in 1939, a fire destroyed the original 1904 section. After the remains of the 1904 building were removed, a new 20-foot section was added to the south end. Most recently, it housed the Army ROTC program. Since the University is exempt from many construction and building rules and regulations that bind non-state entities—the general public—it is easier for the U to tear down and build up structures. I recently heard that the U has completed 16 building projects in the past five years, and that 16 more are in process. I just hope there is a commitment by the administration to honor and respect the past—the older buildings on campus—and to think twice before razing them for parking lots. The older buildings give our campus character and are a visual reminder of how deep our roots go. Once they’re gone, so are our roots. A campus without old buildings is like a person without a memory.