The John R. Park Building is finally getting some reconstructive attention after 94 years of aging.
Before talks began two years ago regarding refurbishing the central piece of Presidents’ Circle, the old windows were letting in rain and snow, and the roof wasn’t fully connected to the walls and was threatening to sink into the attic.
Construction work will strengthen the building’s support structure, nailing the roof to the exterior walls more securely, replace weathered and damaged limestone and window frames and add structural beams to the attic. The U is also installing new fire alarms and sprinkler systems.
Taking inflation into account, the $8.2 million renovation will exceed the initial construction costs of the building. In 1914, the Utah State Legislature granted $300,000 toward the creation of the structure, then known as the Central Building. It was renamed in 1919 after John R. Park, the first president of the U.
Despite the price tag, the renovation is a necessary investment since it ensures the survival of the building, said project manager Ken Nye.
“The Park Building is pretty much the icon of the university and very important,” he said.
Tying down the roof to the walls might sound obvious, but 100 years ago no one thought that it was important for a roof to do more than simply rest on its structure, said Patrick Tripeny, an architecture professor. When an earthquake hits, if a roof isn’t properly secured to the walls, it can slide and damage the building.
“What you have to do is connect things so that when the thing goes sideways everything goes with it. It’s tying it all together,” he said.
However, the measure to prevent seismic damage still isn’t enough to keep the Park Building from suffering severe damage if the big, inevitable Utah earthquake strikes. The building still requires a strengthened foundation to keep up with current seismic standards, Nye said.
Unfortunately, the funding for that kind of upgrade, which would require most of the building’s offices to temporarily relocate, does not yet exist.
Until the university can afford that upgrade, earthquake-proof upgrades, waterproof windows, stronger ties between the roof and walls and new limestone surfaces on the front will have to do.
The administrative offices in the Park Building are still in full swing keeping the university running. However, the accounting and finance offices on the top floor have been cleared out due to the construction on the attic above. They have relocated to the Museum of Fine Arts.
This is the first exterior renovation in the Park Building’s history, said Eric Browning, an architect for facilities planning. However, the building is no stranger to interior renovations.
The building originally housed the university’s library until 1935 when the books were moved into the newly constructed George Thomas Building. It was then remodeled to create space for the law and anthropology departments. After they moved out, it was renovated again in 1949 for the school’s art collection and again in 1966 and 1971 for expanded administrative offices.
Nye said he expects the current renovation to be completed by the end of 2008.
Once the snow and ice thaw and give way to spring, construction will begin and landscaping work will repair the ground torn up around the building by the renovation. The landscaping should be completed by the end of spring, Nye said.
Greg HarlowThe first exterior renovations on the John R. Park building have begun. Work on the 94 year old building is scheduled to be finished by the end of 2008 and cost $8.2 million.