CSUN to Address Building’s Demolition

Plans for the demolition of the earthquake-damaged University Tower Apartments will be discussed at a public briefing Monday, Cal State Northridge officials announced this week.

“There is a substantial amount of interest in the community as far as when the project will take place and what we’re planning to do,” said Roger Bethell, project manager for CSUN’s main earthquake-recovery contractor, Daniel, Mann, Johnson & Mendenhall.

“It’s prudent to have a community outreach to make sure all their questions are answered,” Bethell said.

At the public meeting, Bethell and Tom Tindall, CSUN’s director of facilities planning, and other university officials will provide an overview of the demolition, expected to occur early next year and cost $2.7 million, university officials said.

They will also detail measures that will be taken to mitigate noise, air quality, traffic and other potential problems caused by the demolition of the seven-story brick building on the northwest corner of Lassen Street and Zelzah Avenue.

Bethell said the work, expected to take up to five months, will be carried out in a manner that causes the least amount of disruption to the surrounding residents. Specifically, no explosive will be used in the demolition, he said.

Although no contract for the demolition has been awarded, Bethell said the project is in the final stages.

Officials said the University Tower Apartments, which opened in the fall of 1969 as Rincon Hall, will not be rebuilt.

Monday’s briefing will held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Grand Salon of the University Student Union, 18111 Nordhoff St.

For more information, call (818) 677-6715 or (818) 677-7721.