Building 11 to be demolished, Green expansion is planned
By Matt Coleman
ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR
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Robert K. Pietrzyk
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Building 11 has hosted classes at UNF since its construction in 1975. It was
home to the University's social sciences program, which is now located in the newly-constructed
Building 51.
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The thirty-year legacy of Building 11 will soon come to a close here at the University of North Florida. Physical
demolition activities are scheduled to begin on the former social sciences building Sept. 5., and are expected
to last until Nov. 6.
The decision was based on the fact that it would not be cost effective to renovate, said project manager,
Rich Elmore. "Due to its condition and age, it was deemed more economical to demolish Building 11 and start
anew," said Elmore.
Once the debris is cleaned up, the school plans to sod the entire area and leave the space unoccupied. "The
demolition will really open up the campus," said Elmore. "The newly cleared space will serve as an extension of
the Green."
Elkins Constructors, the company responsible for the construction of Jacksonville's new library, will be
conducting the demolition, as well as the clean up of debris that will inevitably follow. David Birkelbach, the
project manager for Elkins Constructors, said that safety is of the utmost importance to his company. "I guarantee
that we will stress caution and safety throughout the demolition," said Birkelbach. "Students and faculty have
absolutely nothing to worry about in regards to personal safety."
Birkelbach said that it should take the ten to twenty person workforce no more than two months to finish the
work. "The majority of the work will be done during the standard 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. workday, with occasional weekend
hours," said Birkelbach. "We wanted to keep the schedule open for the weekend so we could conduct work that may be
unsafe with many students around, and to keep up to date with the work."
While some students and faculty may be concerned with the demolition of a building in the heart of the school,
Elmore said there should not be a problem. "The entire area surrounding the building is completely fenced off,
so the only concern should be the noise level springing from the demolition," said Elmore.
In the past, classes have been moved from Building 11 due to concerns of mold growth. Air samples were taken from
inside the building, which showed that air quality was not worse than the air outside.
Some students with classes in the building reported various health problems, such as nausea and headaches, but
it was inconclusive as to whether or not these ailments were caused by mold or poor air quality.
According to Elmore, there should also be no environmental hazards associated with the demolition process.
"Asbestos abatement work has been completed so there should be nothing in the air to worry about," said Elmore.
"Mold is also not a concern."
The original decision to tear down Building 11 was made in 2002 by interim president, David Kline. During a
faculty association meeting, Kline stated that he and the Board of Trustees were informed that it would be
cheaper to demolish the building rather than renovate The only long-term option to stop mold growth suggested by
engineers' studies involved ripping off the outside of the building.
Construction on Building 11 began in 1975 and it was occupied the following year. The building was the home of
the social sciences program, which has since been moved to the newly built Building 51.
Contact the Matt Coleman at spinnakernews@yahoo.com
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