PROVO — Brigham Young University is nearing final approval to tear down and rebuild its aging administration building.
Ahead of that, officials announced Tuesday that employees have started moving out of the current Abraham O. Smoot Administration Building, which was built in 1961.
"Departments currently housed in the (Abraham O. Smoot Administration Building) will reside in temporary spaces on campus, with the majority of personnel to be housed at BYU East, the former Wasatch Elementary School building," according to a notice sent to employees.
BYU took over the Wasatch Elementary building, located at 1080 N. 900 East, earlier this year as part of a land swap with the Provo School District. Students had attended classes at that building since 1949. A new $44 million elementary school opened in January just a few blocks to the east, on Locust Lane, but it has already been dealing with significant drainage and retaining wall problems.
Not all BYU administrative employees are moving to the former Wasatch Elementary campus. The university said the president's office and senior staff will temporarily relocate to the Gordon B. Hinckley Alumni and Visitors Center.
University officials said final approval to rebuild its administration building will likely come in the fall, after which the current building will be torn down.
"BYU is coordinating closely with select Provo City departments on required application and permitting processes," the university said.
