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The Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s campuses are continually evolving to meet the changing needs of students, faculty and staff. With a diverse portfolio of facilities — from administrative offices to student spaces — it is critical that investments are directed toward infrastructure that supports education, research and engagement in deliberate, purposeful ways.

Built for Purpose: The University’s Strategic Campus Plan, focuses on aligning campus space with current and future institutional needs. The Administration Building has reached the end of its functional life and the cost of maintaining or upgrading the facility no longer represents a responsible or strategic investment. The university will proceed with the demolition of the Administration Building and restoration of the site, as identified in Built for Purpose. This will create opportunities to repurpose the space to better support the university’s needs and goals.

Site preparation is expected to begin as early as December 2025, with major demolition work scheduled for early summer 2026. Once the building is removed, the site will be backfilled and graded, expanding the open green space at the south end of the university’s Quad. During this period, pedestrians should anticipate detours and the presence of demolition equipment and signage. If you work or study near the site, you may experience noise associated with the demolition. Efforts will be made to minimize disruptions during regular business hours, though some disturbance is unavoidable.

Answers to frequently asked questions

What will be preserved from the Administration Building?

The building is currently being evaluated to determine if any features and/or materials are appropriate to be reused or salvaged.

Why is the Administration Building being demolished instead of being renovated and repurposed?

The Administration Building is being demolished because it has reached the end of its functional life. The cost to maintain or upgrade the facility is no longer a responsible or strategic investment, and the building no longer supports the university’s operational, academic or strategic priorities under Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s Built for Purpose framework.

Renovating or adapting the facility would not address these fundamental issues or deliver sufficient value to the campus. As a result, the building has been identified for disposal. Its removal will help enable other campus priorities, create opportunities for future strategic use of the site and reduce long-term maintenance and operating costs.

How much will it cost to demolish the Administration Building?

The estimated cost to abate and demolish the building, which includes grading and restoration of the site and related soft costs, is expected to be approximately $3 million.

What public consultation occurred prior to the decision to demolish the building?

The decision to remove this asset has been identified in Built for Purpose which was developed iteratively with contributions from a multi-disciplinary working group and Â鶹ÊÓƵ community members spanning the entire institution including students, faculty and staff across our colleges, faculties and departments.

What is planned for the space once the building is removed?

The site will be backfilled and graded, expanding the open green space at the south end of the university’s Quad. Additionally, a planning study has been completed that proposes a concept of how this area could be transformed into a vibrant, inclusive and dynamic outdoor space at some point in the future. Read the South Quad Open Space Planning Study.

Will any other features or assets (such as Sweetgrass Bear sculpture) be impacted by this work?

Adjacent features and assets will be protected during the abatement and demolition work and there are no plans to remove any other assets as part of this process.

Will any trees be affected by the demolition work?

Trees on our campuses are highly valued and are only removed as a last resort when all other preservation options are unsuitable or the tree itself is no longer healthy. University trees are assessed for removal or trimming if they have been deemed unhealthy, are in poor condition or pose a safety risk.