Linn Hall ribbon cutting follows $24.5 million dollar renovation
Cedar Rapids, Iowa (August 11, 2014)–Kirkwood Community College will hold a ribbon cutting to celebrate the completion of a $24.5 million dollar renovation of Linn Hall, the college’s original building on campus, on Thursday, August 14, beginning at 5:15 p.m. Community leaders, dignitaries and alums are expected to be in attendance.
Originally dedicated in October of 1969, Linn Hall has been home to many different types of programs and amenities such as auto body, industrial tech programs and even a student-run restaurant. Before Kirkwood Hall was built in 1989, the President’s Office was housed on the second floor along with the Board of Trustees boardroom as well.
Today, the building has evolved like the rest of the college’s main campus. Linn Hall features many state of the art facilities and programs such as The Katz Family Healthcare Simulation Center, dental labs, Nursing department and KCCK, a jazz radio station.
The much-needed 190 thousand square foot renovation took place while the building was still occupied and classes were ongoing. According to Kirkwood Associate Vice President of Facilities and Security Tom Kaldenberg, the process presented a few challenges.
“In addition to dust and noise, utility outages played a major role in the process as well,” said Kaldenberg. “Even just getting from one side of the building to the other was also a problem. The building is essentially one long hallway, which meant that there was no ‘detour’ going around the construction area without going outside. We kept at least one floor safe and passable for occupants as much as possible to keep them out of the weather.”
Linn Hall, a part of Cedar Rapids history for decades, also has artifacts corridor natives will recognize. Underneath the new skylight, which spans the lobby ceiling, sits the six-foot globe that was originally installed in the Cedar Rapids’ airport in 1953. In addition the walls are adorned with stained glass windows, designed by famed glass artist Louis Millet, that were removed from the Cedar Rapids First Christian Church before its demolition in 2012.
The public will be able to tour the building following the ribbon cutting and have a chance to win an overnight stay at The Hotel with breakfast from The Class Act.
*****EVENT*****
What: Linn Hall Ribbon Cutting
When: Thursday, August 14, at 5:15 p.m.
Where: Linn Hall on Kirkwood’s Main Campus