By Stacey Wismer
Three General Authorities have been invited to participate in the groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, May 16, for the Joseph F. Smith Building, which will replace the Smith Family Living Center.
Nine participants, including Steven R. Covey and Ira Fulton, will take part in the traditional ceremony.
Speakers, including President Merrill J. Bateman, will educate students on Joseph F. Smith and the purposes of the new building.
“Listeners will hear things about Smith that have never been heard before,” said Ron Clark, director of public affairs and guest relations.
Carri Jenkins, assistant to the President, said the Joseph F. Smith Building will be the most imposing building on campus with five levels and double the square footage of the existing building.
Features include 27 classrooms, 401 faculty offices, a 250-seat auditorium, a theater, and a three-level 265-stall underground parking lot.
The building will be designed around a central courtyard and gallery. The two-story gallery will be made entirely of glass walls, featuring a view of the Wasatch Mountains, Jenkins said.
The building is to function as a work of art, said Van C. Gessel, dean of the College of Humanities.
The construction of the new building, to begin on June 3, will be a larger undertaking than the recent additions to the Harold B. Lee Library, Clark said.
Beginning June 1, West Campus Drive will be closed between the Talmadge Building and the walkway leading to the Richards Building. Pedestrian traffic will be closed on the connecting walkway between the library and the Spencer W. Kimball Tower, Jenkins said.
A systematic demolition will take place starting from the west to the east side of the building.
Construction is estimated to take two and a half years with three phases of construction barriers placed around the building, Clark said.
There are certain inconveniences to students and faculties, Clark said, but also said it”s a small price to pay for such a magnificent building.
“It will be a dramatic addition to the university skyline,” Clark said.
The construction of the building will be funded by charitable contributions of private donations.
The new building will accommodate the department of family, home, and social science, and also the department of humanities.
All classes previously found in the SFLC have been relocated to other locations on campus.
The groundbreaking ceremony will take place immediately south of the Smith Family Living Center with seating available for students and onlookers.
