What happened: Montour, Waller, and Old Science buildings are slated for demolition in the near future.
Why it matters: The plans for new green spaces, improved infrastructure, and future academic facilities promise a modern and efficient campus for future students.
The background: Investment in Bloomsburg Campus infrastructure has been a long-term fixture of campus life. The conclusion of McCormick’s renovations allows these three new projects to begin.
Bloomsburg Campus is on the cusp of significant changes to its campus landscape, with plans in motion for three of its long-standing buildings: Montour Hall, Waller, and Old Science. These changes reflect the university’s commitment to modernizing its facilities and optimizing space utilization.
Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, Amy Cunningham, explains, “Montour Hall has been taken permanently offline.” Constructed in 1965, Montour has been a fixture on campus for nearly six decades.
“It’s what we call dry dock, so it’s not being used residentially for students to live on campus.” The primary reason for this closure is the aging infrastructure, particularly the boiler system, which has reached the end of its life expectancy.
CGA President, Matt Yurkunas, provides further insight: “Montour is scheduled for demolition as soon as funds become available.” Current plans are focused on infrastructure improvements. Stacy Wagner, Chief Safety and Facilities Officer, stated in an email, “When we demolish Montour, our plan is to widen and straighten the roadway that exists around the building for safety purposes.”
Wagner reveals, “The future plans for the Old Science site is to make this green space for residents to use for recreational purposes.” The 117-year-old building is “in an active DGS [Department of General Services] project for demolition.”
Waller, another aging building on campus, is part of the same demolition project. However, its future serves a dual purpose. Wagner explains, “The future plans for the Waller site is a parking area short term and a new academic building long term.” This phased approach demonstrates the university’s strategic planning for both immediate needs and long-term growth.
These changes are part of a larger facilities management strategy. As Yurkunas notes, “All buildings have a life cycle, which I think a lot of people don’t realize. I think people are like, oh, you just build a building, and it exists forever. But it’s like, no, they have to come down at some point.”
The timeline for these changes depends largely on funding and the completion of other projects. The demolition of Old Science and Waller can only commence “once all staff and faculty are moved out of these buildings and into the newly renovated McCormick building,” according to Wagner.
