6 Campus Buildings Will Not Be Closed

Cal State Long Beach officials said Thursday that six music buildings newly identified by engineers as having structural problems “do not present immediate hazards” and will be kept open for use while they undergo repairs.

Students will occupy the buildings when classes start Sept. 4, even though it appears that work on the buildings will not yet have started.

The buildings are the latest of a series of 14 structures identified as unsafe or “overstressed” on the campus’ music complex since the July 2 collapse of the Gerald R. Daniel Recital Hall.

In a statement released Thursday by university President Curtis McCray, officials said they decided not to close the buildings to students and faculty because engineers investigating the collapse assured them the six structures “appear to be within tolerable limits at this time.”

Since the collapse of the recital hall, the university has closed eight buildings in the 20-structure music complex, which opened in 1982 on three acres at the northeast corner of the campus. The three largest buildings were closed immediately after the incident, and five others were shut down last week after investigators from Englekirk & Hart Consulting Engineers Inc. determined they were unsound.

In a report delivered to California State University officials last week, the investigating engineers said a preliminary review of the music complex also revealed that the six additional buildings were overstressed.

Although they did not recommend closing the structures, they warned that repairs were necessary “for any long-term continued use” of the buildings.

Cal State Long Beach officials would not comment on the report when it was made public Wednesday, saying they had not yet decided whether to keep the buildings open. The buildings, which together total about 10,000 square feet, include several classrooms, music listening rooms and faculty and music department offices.

“With the assurances of (Englekirk & Hart) engineers that these additional six buildings do not present immediate hazards, university officials have determined to allow these buildings to remain open,” the statement Thursday said. “However, because (Englekirk & Hart) have warned that remedial action for these buildings will be necessary in the future, officials fully intend to commence needed repairs as soon as possible.”

Cal State Long Beach spokeswoman Toni Beron would not elaborate on the statement, saying only that repairs would not begin on the six buildings until Englekirk & Hart prepare a final report on the problem-ridden music complex. Company officials have said they do not expect to deliver that report until early September.

A spokesman for Englekirk & Hart said repairs to the six buildings would involve installing braces to the walls and roof to provide greater stability. A preliminary review of the buildings by the firm found that studs used in the construction of the walls were too narrow, leaving the walls overstressed.