Is ISU going to tear down the Armory?

[jcisuclones]

I think enrollment helps tell the story of why they changed plans on demolishing more of the dorm halls.

Martin and Eaton were opened in 2003 and 2004, then Storm and Knapp were knocked down in 2005. This happened right as enrollment dipped, 2006 being the lowest enrollment this century at 25.4k. What followed was a steady growth with enrollment ballooning to 36.6k in 2016. I would imagine Geoffroy and the administration were targeting enrollment growth and decided to delay demolishing more housing until new dorms were constructed to accommodate the growth. Plus the '08 financial crash probably put a damper on any plans to develop the Towers area further.

Once Leath took over, he was hyper focused on growing the enrollment despite there not being enough housing on campus. Since the peak Geoffroy hall has opened for more housing, and enrollment dropped back to 30.7k last year, so it wouldn't shock me if they explore closing up Towers again in the future. Or finally finish demolishing Helser.

Both of the remaining Towers buildings closed due to Covid, and only Wallace has since opened back up, which was this year. Both of them just got done being renovated apparently, Wallace more recently, where they had the asbestos removed, new windows, new flooring, new elevators etc.

 

[BryceC]

I'm not sure I ever actually went in the Armory in college.

 

[beentherebefore]

That would be a shame. When they try to tear down Ross I will make VEISHA look like a 31 Party.

"Brutally" funny!

 

[CloneFanInKC]

I think enrollment helps tell the story of why they changed plans on demolishing more of the dorm halls.

Martin and Eaton were opened in 2003 and 2004, then Storm and Knapp were knocked down in 2005. This happened right as enrollment dipped, 2006 being the lowest enrollment this century at 25.4k. What followed was a steady growth with enrollment ballooning to 36.6k in 2016. I would imagine Geoffroy and the administration were targeting enrollment growth and decided to delay demolishing more housing until new dorms were constructed to accommodate the growth. Plus the '08 financial crash probably put a damper on any plans to develop the Towers area further.

Once Leath took over, he was hyper focused on growing the enrollment despite there not being enough housing on campus. Since the peak Geoffroy hall has opened for more housing, and enrollment dropped back to 30.7k last year, so it wouldn't shock me if they explore closing up Towers again in the future. Or finally finish demolishing Helser.

Where is Geoffrey Hall?

I didn’t realize Helser was partially demoed? I simply thought it was added onto to result in the current building. Is the current building not referred to as Helser?

Note - I haven’t been on main campus in 20+ Yrs and resided in Helser in my day. Plenty of jogs around the old track of CWF when I lived in Helser.

 

[jdoggivjc]

Where is Geoffrey Hall?

I didn’t realize Helser was partially demoed? I simply thought it was added onto to result in the current building. Is the current building not referred to as Helser?

Note - I haven’t been on main campus in 20+ Yrs and resided in Helser in my day. Plenty of jogs around the old track of CWF when I lived in Helser.

IIRC, the big UDA dining center was built on the footprint of what used to be the northernmost part of Helser Hall. I was one of the last people to live in that part of Helser that no longer exists.

 

[VeloClone]

As somebody who spent a lot of time in Ross Hall... burn that abomination down.

I had a class in the basement of Ross over 30 years ago. I can't think of a more depressing place in all of campus than that floor.

 

[VeloClone]

I'm not sure I ever actually went in the Armory in college.

I was there a lot as a Freshman in AFROTC. With all of the design studios there I don't know where ROTC drills now.

 

[CascadeClone]

Looks like the Design Building is going to get an enormous addition. Bet it won't be called the Design Building any longer after that's done.

It depends. Maybe the Dr and Mrs Fred & Betty Design Trust is donating money for it.

 

[drmwevr08]

Damn. Yall have better memories than I do...

 

[ISUAgronomist]

Damn. Yall have better memories than I do...

Ross Hall gave me PTSD

 

[CysRage]

Is Helser living to see another day (decade)?

 

[drmwevr08]

Ross Hall gave me PTSD View attachment 102336

I suppose I remember the one building I spent most my time in but most the rest is pretty fuzzy.
Ross - hell, changing my mind as I think about it.... Boring box with government classes in it?
I was leaning toward one of the classic oldies at first.

 

[AuH2O]

I remember when I first came back to work at ISU and hadn’t been on campus for years. I had memories of some small old building by Carver that one of profs had an office. Then walking by the area it seemed like there was no way there was anything ever there, and assumed I had dementia. Then I finally found it:

History of Campus Buildings at Iowa State University

 

[BMWallace]

Where is Geoffrey Hall?

I didn’t realize Helser was partially demoed? I simply thought it was added onto to result in the current building. Is the current building not referred to as Helser?

Note - I haven’t been on main campus in 20+ Yrs and resided in Helser in my day. Plenty of jogs around the old track of CWF when I lived in Helser.

Geoffroy is next to Buchanan on the south side of Lincoln Ave. It right across from the Knoll/BWR.

 

[alarson]

IIRC, the big UDA dining center was built on the footprint of what used to be the northernmost part of Helser Hall. I was one of the last people to live in that part of Helser that no longer exists.

Correct.

I was in Helser in 03-04. I remember when they cancelled everyone's contracts that were planning on living there for 04-05, and telling residents they were planning on knocking it down eventually.

 

[brianhos]

Why wouldn't they tear it down? It's a dump.

 

[Rabbuk]

I had a class in the basement of Ross over 30 years ago. I can't think of a more depressing place in all of campus than that floor.

I actually dropped a class and rescheduled it elsewhere for this reason. I legitimately couldn't focus on anything down there and it was a subject I struggled with already. Also it was always 150 degrees.

 

[somecyguy]

I'm not sure I ever actually went in the Armory in college.

Before State was renovated, I played pick up basketball games there on occasion. The floor was slick as hell though and one play I fell and slid knee first into one of the posts holding up the balcony. Gashed the hell out of my knee.

 

[dafarmer]

Armory has design studios, music instrument storage, and campus police?

 

[BMWallace]

Armory has design studios, music instrument storage, and campus police?

Oh yeah! I mainly went there to pay parking tickets...