After nearly 72 years of service, the Annex building has been scheduled for demolition early next spring. The World War II-era wooden building will be replaced by a new 300-space parking lot scheduled to be completed by August. The move was approved by the U’s Board of Trustees during their Dec. 7 meeting. The board approved the abatement and demolition of the existing building and the design and construction of the new parking lot, including sidewalks and landscaping.

Built by the Army in just 90 days as an administration building, the Annex was given to the U in 1948 via an order from General Dwight Eisenhower to provide much needed classroom space to accommodate increased enrollment following the war. Over its seven decades of service the building has housed classrooms and office space for a many university academic programs and business functions.

“This is certainly a momentous day for the university as we mark the end of an era,” said Katie Eccles, board vice-chair, in announcing the unanimous vote.

The new parking lot will replace space lost to the Kahlert Village housing project which opened earlier this year.