Proposed Art Building to Replace Henry's

By Matthew Rupel

The new plans for an art building on Franklin St. appear to be moving forward as popular restaurants such as Henry's have been asked not to renew their leases next March, although the Development Office is currently looking for a new lead donor.

Right now, arts classes operate in the Fine Arts building, a 38 year-old converted warehouse located between Graham and the facilities building.

"We really need a new space, and that's the bottom line," said Kelly Detweiler, the chair of the Art and Art History Department.  "We need a building that's designed to do what we do instead of a space that we have to adapt for our needs, and that's harder."

Senior Julie Tainter has spent the last four years in the current Fine Arts building. "The building's not that great," she said, "but what the building lacks, the teachers make up for."

A new building for art classes has been in the university's master plan for several years now, according to Nancy Trish Calderon, the assistant vice president of the Development. Its construction has been held off due to a lack of funding.

Funding for the proposed new building will be coming from gifts and donations. The projected expenses are $24 million, and the Development Office is searching for a lead donor who can fund half of the project.

"You can imagine that donors who, number one, have that kind of capacity and, number two, have the inclination to donate to this kind of building are kind of few and far between," said Calderon.

Up until recently, the Development Office had been in talks with a lead donor for more than two years. The conversation has slowed, though, and now Calderon is searching for a new lead donor.

"If you were going to write a check for $12 million, you'd want to make sure that everything was going to be perfect," she said.

In addition to a new art building, the university plans to build a four story parking structure on the property along Franklin Street.

The plans are going through an approval process with the city. If the plans are accepted, construction could begin fall quarter, according to Don Akerland, director of planning and projects.

The parking structure and art building are being treated as two phases to the project, and the local businesses located on the property are not allowed to renew their lease next March.

Angelica Ramirez, who operates Henry's Mexican Grill, said that she has been unable to locate any space to lease in the area and will likely have to relocate to the other side of El Camino. Her customer base is mostly made up of students who walk to Henry's and Ramirez will most likely have to downsize her operations.

Businesses are being asked to relocate so that facilities can begin preliminary preparations for construction according to Joe Sugg, who said that a lot of work has to be done before work can start.

Even though the plan for the project has been through a lot of starts and stops, Calderon said that she still remains hopeful for a quick construction. "Anything's possible," she said.

Junior Ezequiel Olvera, a studio art major, said that while he is attached to the old fine arts building, he thinks a new building would be welcomed. "This building has character," he said, "but new students would be really attracted to a new, state of the art building."

Contact Matt Rupel at mrupel@scu.edu or (408) 554-4849.