[JeffInCorvallis]

Old Chem was called Old Chem even before the earthquake and before the building was vacated.  And it was kind of a rathole even then.  I think that building dates back to the original construction of the university in the 1890's, or at least close to it.  It was damaged in the 1906 earthquake but reconstructed.  Ironic that in the 1980's it was deemed a seismic hazard, partly due to its construction and partly due to corrosion of the reinforcements.  So it's an historic building but bringing it up to code will cost a lot of money, plus all of the asbestos and chemicals and who knows what else alluded to in the article.  The university isn't going to give up on the main quad just for seismic reasons, but that building is just far enough from the heart of campus and just invisible enough from the main quad and the oval that it can go derelict.

If someone donated enough money it could become the Garvin Chemistry Center.    :D

[JeffInCorvallis]

Old Chem was called Old Chem even before the earthquake and before the building was vacated.  And it was kind of a rathole even then.  I think that building dates back to the original construction of the university in the 1890's, or at least close to it.  It was damaged in the 1906 earthquake but reconstructed.  Ironic that in the 1980's it was deemed a seismic hazard, partly due to its construction and partly due to corrosion of the reinforcements.  So it's an historic building but bringing it up to code will cost a lot of money, plus all of the asbestos and chemicals and who knows what else alluded to in the article.  The university isn't going to give up on the main quad just for seismic reasons, but that building is just far enough from the heart of campus and just invisible enough from the main quad and the oval that it can go derelict.

If someone donated enough money it could become the Garvin Chemistry Center.    :D