CSNbbs

So many wonderful memories involving both of these buildings. But hey, WMU needs a new parking lot.

http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/inde...plans.html

Sorry Whinny, but I might be on the minority of this argument. Its time for those buildings to go and to move forward. And WMU DOES need a new parking lot.

Actually, I wouldn't mind seeing them figure out how to put a new hockey arena in that area along with parking that could be used for both hockey and football.

I guess maybe I'm not in an uproar like some over this because its inevitable, its going to happen and there isn't anything we can do about it, so why worry about it? Are there lots of memories for many of us there? Of course, but times change and we need to change with them.

I'm with WW42. I went to the business college when it was up on east campus, but have no emotional ties to the buildings. But then my father did not create one of the university's schools there either.

Time marches on and the buildings have served their purpose.

Whinny, restorations aren't even restorations anymore. They gut the shell, reinforce it with I-beams, and put a whole new interior in them.

We go to the White House today and think we're seeing the actual halls that Lincoln strolled in, but we're not. It's simply the shell of the building, but the soul of it is long gone. Had those buildings been kept up, used, and restored (gradually over time) they would have retained that "soul."

I don't blame Dunn. Shame on the other presidents for slow walking it and passing the problem on to the next guy.

Here's what the WH looked like when Truman did the last restoration. The Lincoln bedroom is simply bs. It's just a recreation of what once was.

CU's campus is full of restored buildings that help them keep a link to their history, their campus is awesome to see as a result. WMU doesn't care about tradition, EOD. Throw it away, like you did that diploma during that one move....

(08-09-2013 03:39 PM)Chipdip2 Wrote: [ -> ]Whinny, restorations aren't even restorations anymore. They gut the shell, reinforce it with I-beams, and put a whole new interior in them.

We go to the White House today and think we're seeing the actual halls that Lincoln strolled in, but we're not. It's simply the shell of the building, but the soul of it is long gone. Had those buildings been kept up, used, and restored (gradually over time) they would have retained that "soul."

I don't blame Dunn. Shame on the other presidents for slow walking it and passing the problem on to the next guy.

Here's what the WH looked like when Truman did the last restoration. The Lincoln bedroom is simply bs. It's just a recreation of what once was.

That's one tidbit of American history I was honestly totally clueless about until tonight. Fascinating...

http://twistedsifter.com/2013/02/trumans...enovation/

http://www.urbanghostsmedia.com/2013/04/...1949-1951/

Actually, I have so many incredible memories of East Campus because my entire schooling was there, from kindergarten through high school. That's a whole lotta years and a whole lotta memories. And having my dad just across the driveway teaching in the Speech & Hearing Building made it even more special.

Don't get me wrong Whinny, it should have been done, but it should have been done as needed, and a long time ago. But I feel for you. Those are great memories.

My wife and I strolled through East Campus on our first date. Some art students took us on a tour of one of the buildings, which she loved. Bold first kiss on the steps overlooking downtown sealed the deal.

If restoration was going to be done, it needed to happen 15-20 years ago. I don't blame Dunn at all. Not his fault that none of his predecessors let the buildings deteriorate in the first place. They're saving the most iconic part of the East Hall structure. I can't complain about that. I do wish I could have gotten back to Kalamazoo some time this summer to see the buildings again before they started to be torn down, but that's life.

Lots of good memories wandering around there with friends early in the morning to watch the sunrise, or late nights to look over the city. Going to miss the buildings, but I don't think there was a realistic alternative that could have been undertaken at this point (without losing a ton of money, anyway).

Interesting that WMU had a ceremony and last walk through for the Bigelow and Hoekjie halls this summer. Yet no thought is given to do the same for east campus, which is much more historic.

Telling in and of itself. Suspect the administration is trying to avoid controversy or drawing any potential media attention to the demise of the buildings.

Has the gazette given it any coverage?

I hate to see old, historic buildings be demolished like this, but as has been said here, restoration was too little too late. The buildings have been sitting unoccupied for some time and costs for maintaining them are through the roof. It's better for the long term to re-purpose the land. And at least East Hall (most of it) is being saved and revitalized.

I would like to see a serious revitalization of East Campus and not just another parking lot. I guess we have to play the wait-and-see game.

Just drove through CU's campus today, they have old, redone buildings and it really adds to the appeal. Sad we're so myopic.

Aw snap... this just got personal. They are tearing down Bigelow hall!!!?? That was my first dorm experience at WMU... place felt like a converted bomb shelter, but it was home for a year. Sad to see it go.

Yeah, I hear you. It was kind of a dump when I lived there as a freshman 40 years ago. But now, I'll feel really old when I go to campus and have to tell people that the first dorm I lived in is no longer there. Torn down. I must be ancient.

Oh... the memories at Bigelow hall... Only lived there a year... but man... met some life long friends in there, didn't catch anything I couldn't get rid of, and was close to the computer labs.... Fine times I say... fine times.