Demo project underway at Oklahoma State campus

Oklahoma State University has begun the demolition process at a former power plant on the university campus in Stillwell, Oklahoma, that dates back to 1948.

According to the university, after standing for more than 65 years, the facility is being removed to make way for future development. The demolition process is expected to be completed by the end of the summer.

“Once cleared, the site will be sodded and maintained as green space until a final decision is made regarding its use,” says Jennifer Bennett, senior construction manager at the university. “While OSU’s long-term campus master plan includes a new building on the site, a timeline has not yet been determined."

The plant has supplied energy to academic buildings, residence halls and facilities “long before modern sustainability efforts began.”

The current iteration of the power plant, now being demolished, replaces previous ones built in 1898, 1901 and 1912. The previous power plants had been close to the central part of campus, with the Classroom Building replacing the 1912 power plant after its demolition, according to the university.

James Rosner, former director of energy services at OSU, says the 1940s-era equipment had exceeded its expected lifespan by more than 17 years when the plant was fully shut down in 2018.

The functions of the soon to be demolished plant were replaced in 2018 at site farther that took over the responsibilities of heating and cooling the campus while supporting OSU’s broader energy efficiency and sustainability goals, according to the university.