Retrofitting of Campus Building Nearly Done

Construction crews are nearly finished shoring up Cal State Long Beach’s tallest building.

University officials have spent $1 million widening and reinforcing six pillars that support the nine-story McIntosh Humanities Building.

Several employees had asked to be transferred from the building in 1994 after learning of a report by state inspectors that the building could collapse during a major earthquake. The workers withdrew their requests, however, as soon as the university undertook a temporary, $30,000 retrofitting.

“What we have done now is considered to be a permanent solution,” said Scott Charmack, vice president of physical planning and facilities management.