Pittman is convinced the new building, which will incorporate some of the brick to pay homage to the architecture of the rest of the campus, will compliment the work of the original designers.

Regardless, he said, something has to change.

During one of the town hall meetings he hosted, the lights went out while he was explaining the need for a new building. Pittman swears that wasn’t planned.

In addition to outdated working space, the A and B towers have an issue with water seeping in when it rains and some asbestos that will require abatement before the tear-down. Still, campus aesthetics are a critical part of the decision to build.

“It’s hard for me to use a descriptor for what it looks like now, though I’ve had several handed to me,” Pittman said. “They’re not exactly the most complimentary.”

From Highway 40 it can be difficult to pinpoint what that series of brick buildings are, he says. The new design will open up the campus from the north, creating a drive off Oakland Avenue.

“It will basically change the face of this entire campus,” Pittman said. “People are going to drive by, look at it and wonder what’s going on in there? It’s going to create a front door to the campus, which I think is greatly needed.”

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