Johnson Center Closes in Preparation for Demolition

The new center will offer many different resources, including the: Disabled Student Programs and Services, Extended Opportunities Programs and Services, Health and Wellness Center, and The Spot./ Dianna Mendoza / el Don

The Johnson Center, closed and is scheduled to be demolished this upcoming Summer or Fall of 2018, after a year and a half of its offices and programs were moved to the village, the center is now closed and slated for demolition. It was vacated in Spring 2016, but due to multiple setbacks it is just happening now.

An emergency relocation of the Music Department, lead them to an empty Johnson Center this past Spring.

Problems with the roof and, new ventilation system were some safety hazards in the N Building, that caused the Music Department to move into the Johnson Center this past Spring. After the repairs were fixed the Music, Theater and Dance Department moved backed to the N building this fall.

However, another incident that happened this semester was a broken pipe flood that occurred on the second floor of the Johnson Center that lead students to evacuate the building.

According to Assistant Vice Chancellor, of Facility Planning and District Construction, and Support Services, Carri Matsumoto, the building postponed its demolition project due to rejection of bids. A bid was not awarded, so demolition did not take place. If not, “the building would have started demolition late October,’ Matsumoto said.

Matsumoto states that demolition plans are on the schedule, but it is ”under review and contingent upon DSA approval for the second phase of subsurface demolition activities.”

She estimates potential demolition activities to start as early as June 2018.

The new student center will include programs like Disabled Student Programs and Services, Extended Opportunities Programs and Services, Health and Wellness Center, and The Spot.

Alexander Castillo, a SAC sophomore says, ‘’I dislike the fact that this building is closing. It was a space I came for help, to see advisers all in one place.”

“New landscape, hardscape and a shade structure will be provided creating new security and gathering places for students,” Matsumoto also added.