First proposed in the 2014 Campus Master Plan, the demolition of the Butcher Education Center will be completed this year. The project was out for bid during the Fall of 2023, which Midland Wrecking won, according to Director of Media Relations and Internal Communications Gwen Larson. The contract with the Kansas City-based company was secured for $688,122.
“One of the first steps that needs to happen is work inside to safely remove asbestos materials,” Larson said. Before the start of the semester, fencing was put up around the building and material was beginning to be removed from inside.
Another thing that will have to happen before the full demolition is the addition of a boiler in Visser Hall.
“[The campus heating system] is a steam system,” explained Larson, “and we’ve got lines under campus to connect buildings.” With the removal of Butcher there would be lines connecting Visser Hall to Cremer Hall; therefore, a boiler will be added to Visser directly. The major demolition will occur afterward. According to Larson, this will begin around late February. It is anticipated that the sidewalk south of Butcher and along 15th Ave will be blocked for truck traffic. 15th Ave. will not be closed, nor will the sidewalks or parking lot along Morse Drive. For safety reasons, it is recommended that anyone who needs to cross Merchant St. going to and from classes use the sidewalk adjacent to Cremer Hall, and then cross 15th Ave. before using the Merchant St. crosswalk.
Larson confirmed that the plan for the cleared area is still green space. Landscaping for this will be handled by campus facilities. The project will likely be completed before the end of the school year.