Fate of old Music Building still undecided

As the construction of A&M-Commerce's new Music Building comes to a close, the future of the old Music Building remains uncertain.

The most likely scenario is that the building will be demolished.

"At this point, the plan is to demolish it, probably sometime later in the semester," President Dan Jones said.

Dallas architect George Dahl designed the building, which was constructed in 1956.

"The architect is significant," Jones said, "but the building is not."

There was a growing need for a larger building to accommodate the rise in enrollment at A&M-Commerce.

"The original building was designed to serve about 75 music majors, and we've got over 250 now," Facilities Project Manager James Patton said. "The building was inadequate for current needs."

Various renovation projects for the building were considered, but demolition received the popular vote.

"At the end of the day, it's a business decision," Jones said. "It's not an architecturally significant building, and we don't have the budget for renovation."

Additionally, the classrooms are small and designed specifically as music rooms.

"The rooms are not suitable for any of our classroom needs now," Patton said, "and it really doesn't make a lot of sense to spend money renovating an old space when we have too much space to begin with."

The building has several architectural problems, and there are some concerns about asbestos.

"We'd have to have an asbestos-hazardous materials survey done of the building," Patton said, "and then go through a process of abatement to get rid of all the asbestos-containing materials in a safe manner."

If Jones decides to go through with the demolition, the project will go out for a public bid to contractors.

"We tend to have pretty good interest when we have a demolition project," Patton said, "and usually get four to five bids."

Between surveying, bidding and demolishing the 36,000 square-foot building, the whole process would take between four and six months.

"My guess is if we go forward with the demolition, we would probably put it out to bid around February," Patton said. "So it would come down some time in the spring."

The question still remains on what to do with the space once the building is torn down.

"If it is demolished, it will probably just be green space for a while, because we don't have anything in the master-plan that would put a new building on the location," Patton said.

The space is not likely to become a parking lot because of the lack of access and change in grade.

As it is a central location on campus, there is much discussion for future construction projects on the old building site.

"What we'd really like to do is develop some kind of facility there that would gather students," Jones said. "We've floated some ideas around as to what that might be, and we'll definitely talk with the Student Government Association to get some suggestions."

There are many memories attached to the old Music Building, but not everyone will be sad to see it go.

"I have strong memories of wonderful people making incredible music in that building," Music Department Head Christopher White said, "but there is very little I will miss about the building itself."

White taught in the building for 10 years, and is pleased to have more space for his students in the new building.

"Given the limitations of the facility, I am amazed that we were able to build a program with such a strong national reputation," he said. "At times, we were literally recruiting against the state of the building."

There are no more classes being taught in the old building, which is now closed to the public.

"In the time being, we're letting the contractor for the new Music Building use some space over here until the work there gets finished up," Patton said. "Then we'll have an auction sometime in November to clear out the items remaining in the building."

Jones is expected to make the final decision for the building within the next month.