Chapman Might Make Historic Facade a Thing of the Past

An agreement between Chapman University and Old Towne preservationists is threatening to collapse because the university might demolish a building facade that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Members of the Old Towne Preservation Assn. said they were shocked this week when they saw architectural designs for the university’s new law school, to be built on the site of the Orange Unified School District’s former headquarters on Glassell Street. Gone was the 1920s-era Italianate facade of the building, which the association had successfully lobbied to be listed on the register in 1993.

“It was the ultimate betrayal,” said Anne Siebert, past president of the group. “We were literally speechless.”

Chapman spokeswoman Ruth Wardwell said that all of the possible designs for the building are still being debated.

“There is nothing confirmed except that we are going to build a building over there,” said Wardwell, who acknowledged that saving the historic facade might not be feasible from an architectural and engineering standpoint.

“However, nothing--I repeat, nothing--is cast in concrete. Chapman very much wants to continue talking. We are specifically asking [the association] and others for feedback, and we very much want to work the issues out jointly.”

The preservationists held an emergency meeting Thursday and will be looking at options to prevent demolition of the facade, Siebert said.

“We don’t want to have a war over this, but if it takes that, we are willing to go for it,” she said.