TERRE HAUTE — A historic courtroom, first-floor lobby with post office boxes and upper-level hallways of the downtown federal building will be preserved under the National Historic Preservation Act when the building is converted into the new home of Indiana State University’s College of Business.
Documents for transfer of the building to ISU, as well as ensuring historic preservation, are expected to be completed by the end of this year, said Julia Nicolae, project manager for the federal General Services Administration.
The building will be handed over to ISU in July 2009 or earlier, Nicolae said.
Prior to that, the GSA, which already has completed a Phase I restoration/rehabilitation project, will finish a Phase II project, costing about $3.5 million. That project includes construction of a first-floor contract U.S. Postal Service area to be maintained by ISU. It has been awarded to C.H. Garmong, a Terre Haute firm.
Work can start on Phase II once that company has cleared government-required security clearances, said Regina Nally, GSA’s regional historic preservation officer.
Officials with GSA, along with architectural firms for both ISU and the GSA, answered questions Wednesday during a public meeting that outlined historic preservation goals of the reuse plan for the building at 30 N. Seventh St. in downtown Terre Haute. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.
The federal government deemed the courthouse unsuitable after September 2001, when new security guidelines and setback requirements were enacted. The GSA’s lease on the building expires in September 2009.
A new 14,000-square-foot federal building will be constructed downtown at 921 Ohio St. to house the U.S. Southern District and bankruptcy courts and other federal agencies.
ISU in 2009 is expected to begin a Phase III project, which will convert the building into the College of Business. Part of that project will be to reduce the width of Cherry Street, adding green space on the north side of the building to slow traffic.
In addition, the federal building will be linked with ISU’s adjacent John T. Myers Technology Center.
“We are studying a connector at this time, either a tunnel or bridge option. A tunnel would connect the lower level [of the federal building] to the lower level of the John Myers Technology Building,” said Lisa Gomperts, project manager for Schmidt Associates, an Indianapolis architectural firm hired by ISU.
“Even a bridge option offers some opportunities in terms of a visual connection with campus and also a way to highlight the university. We are still in the study phase to try to understand which option is best and the cost of the options. Our hopes are to make a decision to go along with the Phase III construction,” Gomperts said.
ISU students would move into the renovated building in 2011 or sooner, said Nancy J. Merritt, dean of the College of Business.
The total project is projected to cost $23 million, with $6 million paid by GSA. ISU is targeting a goal of $11 million to be raised from donations as part of the university’s payment, Merritt said.
“Indiana State University and the College of Business, we are very grateful and very pleased to be inheriting such a classic structure. We share a commitment to the revitalization of this building to a new use, to preserve its historic nature and significance,” Merritt said.
Merritt said the large second-floor courtroom will be used for lectures and community/university events. The room otherwise will be locked and not open for day-to-day pedestrian traffic.
Existing benches, as well as tables and chairs for lawyers, in that courtroom will go to the federal courts’ new building on Ohio Street.
The courtroom on Cherry Street contains a mural by Frederick Webb Ross of the signing of the Magna Carta, “This certainly is one of the most spectacular courtrooms in the federal government’s inventory in the Midwest. It is really quite wonderful,” Nally said.
ISU will add 8,000 or 9,000 square feet onto the south side of the existing 75,000-square-foot building to provide a larger entrance, enabling two existing north-side entrances to be preserved.
The building has three above-ground floors and one below-ground level. Classrooms will be located on the lowest level and third level of the building, Gomperts said.
Terre Haute City Councilman Todd Nation voiced concern that the building in the future may use nearby parking lots. Nation, as a member of Downtown Terre Haute Inc., said he would rather see building development on existing downtown parking or vacant lots.
Nation said he is pleased the historic building is being preserved. The building opened on Dec. 1, 1934, with an official public opening in 1935, said Michael Conly of Architura, an Indianapolis architectural firm hired by the GSA. The building was designed by Miller & Yeager, former Terre Haute architects.
Howard Greninger can be reached at (812) 231-4204 or howard.greninger@tribstar.com.
Local & Bistate
Related Photos
-
submitted photo
-
submitted photo
Discussion
Federal Building courtroom, lobby will be preserved when ISU’s College of Business moves in
- Local & Bistate
-
-
Water rescuers
Emergency personnel wheel a man who was removed from a vehicle that had been driven into the water at Crystal Lake on Boston Avenue near 14th Street at about 9 p.m. Friday.
-
For many, camping outdoors is the way to beat the heat, enjoy nature
Stringing up fishing poles in the shade of American flags, households full of Hoosiers are packing into parks across the state this weekend.
-
Towns along National Road readying for next week’s miles-long yard sale
Stretching 824 miles from Baltimore to St. Louis, the National Road — known as U.S. 40 through Indiana — will soon be the host site for perhaps the longest bargain market in the country.
-
Rose grads honoring late president Branam at commencement today
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology’s Class of 2012 will honor the memory of Matt Branam during today’s commencement ceremony by wearing special pins with the phrase “Make It Happen; Make It Fun,” a favorite saying of the former Rose-Hulman president, who died unexpectedly on April 20.
-
Vigo County Jail Log: May 26, 2012
The following individuals were booked into the Vigo County Jail by area law enforcement on Thursday and Friday, based on jail records. Charges are recommended by arresting officers but are not final until the Vigo County prosecutor reviews the case and files official charges.
-
A fallen soldier returns home
An Army carry team moves a transfer case containing the remains of Spc. Arronn D. Fields early Thursday morning at Dover Air Force Base, Del.
-
Official touts trade with northern neighbor
A top Canadian diplomat told a Terre Haute audience Thursday his country was “disappointed” when President Obama at least temporarily rejected a proposed transcontinental oil pipeline from Alberta to Texas.
-
Caution urged for summer’s kickoff
Lane restrictions in construction zones on Interstate 70 and other highways around the state will be lifted to accommodate holiday travel for the Memorial Day Weekend.
-
Letters delivered
Several positions will be eliminated this summer at the Terre Haute mail processing facility as the U.S. Postal Service begins moving the operation to Indianapolis, a U.S. Postal Service spokesman has confirmed.
-
Companies seek Vigo tax abatements
Two Vigo County companies are seeking tax abatements for expansion projects, one of which is included as part of a county incentive package.
-
High-speed chase suspect caught in West Virginia
The suspect in a cross-country, high-speed chase originating in Terre Haute last week was reportedly in federal custody Thursday evening.
-
Second victim of deadly I-70 semi-trailer crash identified
The Vigo County Coroner’s Office has identified the passenger of a semi-tractor crash on May 16 in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 70 near the 12-mile marker.
- VIGO COUNTY JAIL LOG: May 22-24, 2012
-
Burn ban in effect for Vigo County through holiday weekend
Vigo County officials have issued a burn ban effective Thursday and remains in effect until 8 a.m. Tuesday.
-
Brazil remembers a Fallen Son
A small town seemed sadly quiet Wednesday, waiting to honor a local fallen warrior.
-
ISU OKs four-year degree guarantee
Indiana State University has announced a four-year “graduation guarantee” for students enrolling this fall and beyond.
-
Dems tout good side of compromise
Indiana Senate Minority Leader Vi Simpson, chosen to run as the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor with gubernatorial candidate John Gregg, said during a stop Wednesday in Terre Haute that bipartisan experience is a key factor in creating jobs and legislation to help Hoosiers statewide.
-
Motorcyclist dies, motorist charged after accident
A Terre Haute man has died of injuries he sustained in a two-motorcycle, one-car crash that also injured another motorcyclist late Tuesday. The incident has led to the arrest of the car’s driver.
-
Grant money will help replace Collett Park area tree canopy
A combination of city funds and a state grant is allowing TREES Inc. and the city of Terre Haute to plant 100 trees next year to replace a storm-destroyed street-tree canopy in the Collett Park neighborhood.
-
Schools surpass goal for Riley
The lives of about 5,000 children in Vigo County are touched each year by Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, and now, the Riley Children’s Foundation has been touched with gratitude by students in the Vigo County School Corp.
-
Historic preservation proposal discussed during open forum
More than three dozen people turned out Wednesday to ask questions about a proposed Terre Haute ordinance that would set up a formal process to preserve historic properties in the city.
-
Banks of the Wabash workers getting festival ready to roll
Concession stands and amusement rides lined the lawn, waiting for a crowd.
-
Search on for Gibault walkaway
The Indiana State Police are seeking help in finding a juvenile who they say walked away from a Vigo County treatment facility Sunday evening.
-
Graduate college in four years? ISU ‘guarantees’ it
Indiana State University has announced a four-year graduation guarantee for students enrolling this fall and beyond.
-
School bus crashes into central Indiana home
A school bus rumbled through the backyard of a suburban Indianapolis home and crashed into the side of the house.
-
Markets swoon, oil prices fall as anxiety about Europe takes hold
The threat of a financial crisis spreading from Europe shook markets on Wednesday. The euro dropped to a nearly two-year low against the dollar. Oil prices sank to their lowest this year, and stocks took another fall.
-
The closing of St. Ann Parish: Shuttered parish will help others live on
St. Ann Parish celebrated its last Mass on Sunday.
-
Foreclosure lawsuit questions dog mayor
Terre Haute Mayor Duke Bennett said Tuesday he is “100 percent” certain the foreclosure suit filed against him by GMAC Mortgage on his eastside home will be resolved within the next “couple of weeks.”
-
TB case cause for concern, not panic
A suspected case of tuberculosis at a Vigo County middle school is cause for concern, but health officials are taking appropriate precautionary steps, says Union Hospital’s chief medical officer
Dr. John Bolinger said the suspected TB case at Woodrow Wilson Middle School “is a concern,” but Vigo County and state health departments “are there to handle situations like this. They’ll do the right thing.” -
Woodgate residents considering legal action
Residents came in force Tuesday to try to compel the Vigo County Board of Commissioners to change how a development is progressing near Woodgate subdivisions in southern Vigo County.
- More Local & Bistate Headlines
-
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Astronauts Enter World's 1st Private Supply Ship
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Passenger Restrained on Flight to Miami Arrested
Today in History
Dragon Arrives at Space Station in Historic 1st
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
Shell Readies Arctic Drill Ship
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Police: Gunman Has Hostages in Realty Office
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Beer Here!: An Historic Exhibit
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
FAMU Bandmates: Victim Volunteered to Be Hazed
Wild weather for Memorial Day weekend
Inspiration for the class of 2012
Colorado College Student Shot While Trespassing
Will Smith & Josh Brolin on "Men in Black 3"
80-Year-Old Skydiver's Nightmare Jump
JWoww Sizzles in a Black Bikini
Sliders on the Grill
Cruise ship crunch
Backstage With Beyonce
Ultimate Creamy Potato Salad
Pope's Personal Butler Under Arrest
Jenny McCarthy's New Man
Tyler's Classic Coleslaw
Britney Spears Under X Factor Fire
Flesh-Eating Bacteria Victim Hits Milestone
Hurricanes and Heat Waves Across America
Kristen Stewart Is Red Hot
Shark Attacks Australian Fishing Boat
Bradley out for playoffs
Kayaker Survives Trip Over Washington Waterfall
