Administration Building reopened for business

Northwest's historic Administration Building is reflected in a sidewalk on a rainy day. (Photo by Lilly Cook | Northwest Missouri State University)

The historic Administration Building at Northwest Missouri State University reopened this week after a nine-month closure to upgrade its heating and cooling systems during the institution's infrastructure modernization project.

"The Administration Building represents so much of Northwest's history and enduring strength, and we are excited to once again see activity and services returning to this campus landmark," Northwest President Dr. Lance Tatum said. "We recognize the disruption the infrastructure modernization project has caused during the last three years, and we are grateful for the patience and flexibility shown by our campus and community. This work is an important investment in Northwest's future and positions the University to operate more efficiently and sustainably for generations to come."

While people who were familiar with the Administration Building before its closure last December will notice few physical changes inside the structure, some offices have moved to locations that are different from the spaces they vacated.

Most notably, the offices of the President and Provost are now located in the remodeled east wing of the building's third floor. The space previously housed Northwest's foods and nutrition programs, which have moved to the refurbished Martindale Hall.

Additionally, the offices of Finance and Administration, enrollment management and academic operations have moved to the east wing of the first floor to occupy spaces formerly used by the offices of the President and Provost.

The Proctoring Center and the Office of Title IX and Equity will remain in Meeting Room D and Meeting Room E, respectively, on the third floor of the J.W. Jones Student Union. TRIO programs remain located on the second floor of the B.D. Owens Library.

Monitors throughout the Administration Building provide office locations, and Northwest's online directory is being updated accordingly.

About the Administration Building

Completed in 1910, the Administration Building stood as the campus's sole academic building until the completion of Colden Hall in 1959. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2010.

The building survived tornado damage in 1919, but a devastating fire in 1979 destroyed 60 percent of the original structure, including its north wing auditorium. Reconstruction in the wake of the fire placed offices throughout the campus and kept the building from being fully occupied for more than two years.

In addition to its most recent closure, Administration Building offices were relocated temporarily for approximately two weeks in May 1992 while the building was closed for bat abatement and cleaning.

More about the infrastructure modernization project

In addition to the Administration Building, upgrades to heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems during the last year are enhancing Everett Brown Education Hall, the McKemy Center for Lifelong Learning, B.D. Owens Library, Roberta Hall, the Student Rec Center, the J.W. Jones Student Union, Valk Center, Wells Hall and the Wellness Center.

On Sept. 10, Northwest toppled the campus's 140-foot boiler stack, signaling the completed demolition of its power plant.

The three-year, $105 million infrastructure modernization project, which is in its final phase, will enable the University to deliver more reliable, sustainable and cost-effective utility services to campus facilities.

For more information about Northwest's Infrastructure Modernization Project, visit www.nwmissouri.edu/alert/infrastructure/.