Reprinted by permission of The Greenville Advocate
October 23, 2007

Hogue Hall Being Vacated For Improvements

In August, Greenville College officials announced that major repairs were needed for historic Hogue Hall, and the latest information reveals that all offices and classrooms in the building are being vacated.

Greenville College President Jim Mannoia stated last week that engineers, reviewing the structural condition of the 150-year-old building, have expressed their feeling that the central core of the building is dangerous.

While remodeling work was being conducted this past summer to the lower east end of Hogue Hall, significant cracks were found in timbers that support the internal masonry wall in the eastern-most wing of Hogue Hall.

The college took immediate steps to reinforce the main timbers, halted further remodeling and sought the assistance of both a structural engineer and an architectural firm specializing in the restoration of old buildings.

The initial inspection led to serious concerns about the structural integrity of the entire building. Employees on the East and west wings of the building were relocated and classes from the four classrooms on the third floor were moved in addition to some faculty offices.

The latest information from the engineer has led to the college planning to move all offices out of Hogue Hall. Mannoia also reported that the college's insurance carrier has decided it cannot continue coverage for collapse or related general liability on the building in its current condition.

He noted that the carrier is willing to support an accelerated move.

Thirty individuals were displaced during the first move and another 40 will now be affected.

President Mannoia reported there were three options provided by the architect regarding improvements to the building. One was to only stabilize the structure while another was stabilization work with the installation of two stairwells and an elevator.

Option number three is to completely remodel the building. The college president said state or other funding would have to become available for the complete remodeling option to be conducted. "This of course would be a wonderful outcome, one we have all wanted for many, many years," Mannoia commented.

Governor Rod Blagojevich has talked with Mannoia and promised to include money for the building in a state capital program. Senator Frank Watson has also expressed his support for the state funds for G.C.

"I'm cautiously optimistic the state could provide money," the college president stated.

At this time, college officials are planning to proceed with option number two, which is the stabilization work, stairwells and an elevator. "If we'd get the money, we would like to do the third option," Mannoia said.

He added, "The value of a complete remodeling is that we would have a jewel in the community rather than a 150-year-old building."

Other possible funding sources for the project could include the federal government, foundations and individuals.

Decisions are now being made where to move faculty, classes, and the offices and employees who have been located in the core area of Hogue Hall. The IT (computer) department is also located there.

The building is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Information provided by the college indicates that Hogue Hall's construction is typical of the period of 1855 through 1864. The central core is supported by external and internal masonry walls that extend directly info the soil below, but without any footers or a foundation.

Floor joists are not tied into the brick walls, except by mortar that has deteriorated considerably over the past 150 years.

In some cases, these joists have pulled out of their supports, leaving the floors/ceilings vulnerable to collapse. The easternmost and westernmost ends of the building have internal masonry walls on upper floors that do not extend to the soil, but rest on heavy timbers in the ceiling of the ground floor.

These four timbers bear a large amount of weight. Three of the four timbers have cracked entirely through, leaving the masonry walls on the upper floors vulnerable to collapse into the ground floor.

Dr. Mannoia said there is no way to know how long this condition has existed. Because of its age, Hogue Hall does not meet current fire standards. There is limited egress from the upper floors, and no sprinklers or centralized fire alarms.

Without an elevator, the upper floors are not ADA accessible.

According to Mannoia, depending on which option is selected to improve the building, Hogue Hall could sit empty for one to two years.

Possibly Partnering With Kaskaskia

With the announcement earlier this month that Greenville Regional Hospital was purchasing the former Super Valu building for the Auxiliary's Thrift Shop, discussions have begun about Greenville College and Kaskaskia College using the current Thrift Shop location.

Dr. Mannoia reported that hospital officials have been in contact about the possible leasing or purchase of the building, located on North Third Street in Greenville.

A few weeks ago, Kaskaskia College officials indicated they were looking for a new location for the Greenville Education Center as more space is needed.

Mannoia said Kaskaskia College is interested in moving the center to the Thrift Shop building. He added both colleges would like to create a center with classrooms and offices and possibly a small business incubator.

Both colleges are currently in negotiations with the hospital. Noting that the building would have to be remodeled to suit the needs of G.C. and K.C., Mannoia stated, "We'd like to occupy the space as soon as we can."

It is not known when the Thrift Shop will be moved to the new location along South Fourth Street.

"From my point of view, it's all pretty exciting," President Mannoia said. "It'll create an enhanced partnership with K.C."