St. Olaf Science Complex now under construction

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Thing are looking very different on the south side of the St. Olaf campus these days. Left: The east/west ring road to/from Old Main has been moved below the hill, with a new parking lot added. Right: Construction of the new Science Complex has begun. Click photos to enlarge.

7 Comments

  1. I was surprised how little complaining there was about this project — especially about ripping down Manitou Cottage and cutting the new road through the lawn behind Old Main.

    February 26, 2007
  2. August Zera said:

    St. Olaf has been recognized for it’s sciences for quite some time now, and it is the right time for expansion. This will be a big plus for incoming students and for the community in general. As a current student, I am only sorry that I won’t be there to see the finished product for quite some time. By the way, they didn’t tear down Manitou Cottage, they moved it to somewhere south of Northfield. I can’t remember where exactly, though.

    March 14, 2007
  3. Griff Wigley said:

    Thanks for the update, August.

    BTW, have you been pressured (enticed?) yet by Northfield’s EDA to consider moving to Northfield a few years after you graduate? It’s part of the economic development strategy!

    March 14, 2007
  4. Sean Hayford O'Leary said:

    August,
    Are you sure Manitou Cottage was moved? I know that was the hope, but I’d heard they never found anyone who wanted to take it.

    St. Olaf has been recognized for its sciences for quite some time now, and it is the right time for expansion. This will be a big plus for incoming students and for the community in general.

    It’s the place, not the time, that my concern was for. I know there was some objection by homeowners near the site, but nothing compared the WCAL outrage a few years ago…

    I’m going to have reserve full judgement until the project’s done, but I remember fondly the sledding hill and park area behind Old Main. The hill’s still there, but it’s painful to see the land in such condition.

    March 14, 2007
  5. August Zera said:

    It was moved. I read in the Northfield News that they moved it to somewhere near Dundas, and it’s being preserved as an historical building. And Griff, no i haven’t been contacted by the EDA, this was a purely personal statement.

    March 14, 2007
  6. Sean Hayford O'Leary said:

    I feel like I’m beating a dead horse, but I checked with my mother — she has an office in Old Main — and she said she saw the demolition herself.

    Also and more concretely, http://www.stolaf.edu/sciencecomplex/building/faq.html#9 states “Manitou Cottage was taken down after extensive efforts to find a suitable place for relocation.”

    Update: Here we go (photo by Torild Homstad):

    Manitou Cottage

    March 14, 2007
  7. Griff Wigley said:

    Thanks, Sean. Good detective work!

    March 16, 2007

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