NW Missouri Times

Northwest Missouri State University is preparing to close its historic Administration Building this winter as part of a broader, three-year infrastructure modernization project. Starting December 1, all offices currently located in the Administration Building will be relocated to temporary spaces across campus. Employees are already packing and organizing their offices for the move and storage.

“This is a necessary step, in the midst of our infrastructure modernization project, to maintain a productive work environment for our employees and continue to serve our students,” said Stacy Carrick, Northwest’s vice president of finance and administration. “We are working hard to make sure we place services in locations that are accessible to our students and stakeholders.”

The Administration Building, completed in 1910, has played a central role on campus for over a century. It was the university’s only academic building until Colden Hall opened in 1959. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2010. Over its history, it has endured significant events such as tornado damage in 1919 and a fire in 1979 that destroyed much of its original structure. After the fire, reconstruction led to office relocations throughout campus for more than two years.

Temporary relocations have occurred before; notably, staff were moved out for about two weeks in May 1992 due to bat abatement and cleaning.

During this latest closure, various administrative offices will be moved primarily to Owens Library and other designated locations on campus. Some staff members will relocate to Colden Hall or Wells Hall, while others will occupy temporary buildings set up northwest of Garrett-Strong Science Building in Lot 27. Additional offices will move into the J.W. Jones Student Union or properties owned by Northwest Foundation Inc.

The east wing of the third floor of the Administration Building—which houses foods and nutrition programs—will remain open through spring 2026 as related projects conclude.

To assist with navigation during these changes, Northwest plans to update web pages and install signage at new office locations.

Due to placement of temporary buildings for displaced offices, Lot 27—a parking area usually reserved for commuting students—will be closed until summer 2026 when renovations are expected to finish. Motorists are advised that alternative parking options are available elsewhere on campus; questions can be directed to University Police at 660.562.1254.

The closure aligns with ongoing improvements across several university facilities including upgrades to heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems at multiple halls and centers on campus. Recently completed tunnel improvements have converted Northwest’s centralized steam plant into a decentralized hot water system.

When complete in 2026, this $105 million project aims to provide more reliable and sustainable utility services across university facilities.