Long Beach : University to Sue Builders of Collapsed Music Hall

Officials at Cal State Long Beach say they plan to sue the builders of a music recital hall for money to repair the facility’s roof, which collapsed in 1990. The decision follows the breakdown of negotiations with the builders over liability for the proposed $2.8-million reconstruction of the Gerald R. Daniel Recital Hall.

“It’s very, very frustrating,” university spokeswoman Toni Beron said. “Our music students deserve to be in a good facility.”

The recital hall’s roof collapsed July 2, 1990, forcing the university to hold rehearsals and music classes at various other locations on and off campus ever since. For the past year, university officials had been negotiating with representatives of Hugh Gibbs and Donald Gibbs Architects, Shirley Brothers Construction and Trus Joist Corp. over who will foot the repair bill. Those negotiations broke down earlier this month, Beron said, after the builders made a final offer that was unacceptable to the university.

While the case is wending its way through the courts, she said, the university will ask the state for funds to go ahead with the repairs. If that request is granted, she said, the necessary reconstruction could be completed in about a year.