The days are numbered for the Liberal Arts/Business Building at Citrus College after exceeding the 50-year lifespan that is expected of education facilities.
The structure, along with four other buildings that sit in its shadow, will be replaced by a new science center, which will increase the number of labs on campus and provide more space for faculty and students.
The LB building was built in the 1960s, Diamond said, and has “simply outlived its life.”
Diamond said that the cider-block LB building is structurally sound, but that it will be replaced with a new science building that meets all the new code standards.
“There’s no structural problems at all,” Diamond said. “As far as strength is concerned, it’s awesome.”
Retrofitting would be impractical because the building predates the Americans with Disabilities Act and other regulations. There would have to be expensive reconstruction on the LB Building to be brought up to code and this would be impractical.
“Why would you put in good money after bad?” Diamond said.
The structures that will be demolished along with the LB Building are the IC and IS Buildings, as well as the North and South bungalows. This clearance space will make room for the new science center, which has already received a design award, said Diamond.
Aaron Aguilar Gavan, a Citrus alumnus, said that the LB Building was outdated in his time. He recollected that the classrooms had no windows and that he was happy that it was going to be demolished.
“You just felt like you were being stuck in a box,” Aguilar Gavan said. “I saw there needed to be a change, and when I heard that it was going to be torn down I was pretty excited.”
Gavan studied architecture, and the design recognition of the new science building gave him confidence in the direction they were headed.
“Since they won an award, I can say they actually did a good job. (They are) doing something good with it,” Aguilar Gavan said.
Citrus College student Mary Rodello recalled that the building was dated, but she had fond memories of the building since it was where her first class started.
“I know that the LB Building really needs to be updated,” Rodello said. She compared the LB Building to newer facilities like the ED Building. A modern science building for students who need labs will benefit students, Rodello said.
Rodello said although she tripped on those LB Building stairs on her first day, that she will miss it.
“That memory is going to be there, but you know, that building, I think, has to go,” Rodello said.
She said the upgrade will be appreciated by students.
Diamond said the new science building will support programs across biology, geology, microbiology, physics and chemistry. The project aligns with the college’s Educational and Facilities Master Plan, which identified science instruction as the campus’s highest-priority need. While the LB Building will be replaced by a new science facility, there are plans to replace LS, LH and PS building with a new classroom building at some point in the future.
Students who want to preserve a memory with the building before it comes down should act fast.
“If you want a picture with it, get it soon,” Diamond said.
