2 Refurbished CSUN Buildings Reopen

Cal State Northridge has reopened two buildings at a cost of about $11 million in federal earthquake repair and conversion funds.

Refurbishing of the three-story Monterey Hall for $3.7 million and the five-story administration building for $7.5 million are among the last construction projects related to the 1994 Northridge earthquake. Both buildings were opened this month.

Monterey Hall at Nordhoff Street and Zelzah Avenue was formerly a dormitory building and now houses CSUN’s Department of Communication Disorders and Sciences and the CSUN Center for Community Services.

Most of the university’s community outreach programs are affiliated with the center.

The old administration building has been converted into the Student Services Building, where campus officials say they have consolidated offices for such areas as financial aid and admissions.

Previously, students had to conduct their business transactions at several offices scattered throughout the campus.

“As we get the opportunity, we are trying to make the campus better,” university spokesman John Chandler said.

Work is scheduled to begin on the new administration building at Etiwanda Avenue and Prairie Street in August, just before the scheduled completion of repairs to the Oviatt Library’s east and west wings, which were damaged in the earthquake.

University officials say they expect to complete all earthquake-related repairs by 2001. The estimated cost of the entire recovery effort is $406 million.