Grand Staircase Reconstruction

Dear EOU Friends and Family,

I am excited to announce the beginning of construction on a new Grand Staircase! This historic connection between EOU and the community has served as a wonderful symbol of our strong relationship for nearly 100 years. The Stairs are also a unique, one-of-a-kind architectural feature that sets us apart from other colleges and universities: no one else has anything like it.

The Grand Staircase was one of the top discussion items brought to me as the new President. Many longtime faculty and staff, alumni, and supporters shared wonderful stories about the Stairs, including events like Evensong, wedding proposals and ceremonies, graduation photos, paintings of Mt. Emily and the valley from the viewpoint, and even small cars being relocated to the Staircase!

The tremendous work to find resources for the project secured $4 million from state and federal funds. Those funds have been used to remove the structure that had become unsafe and unstable, and to plan for a new structure. This month, we will see construction begin on the new Grand Staircase, to be completed by the end of November 2024.

Given the limited resources and increasing costs, building a full replica of the original Grand Staircase was not possible. However, we felt it was incredibly important to maintain the historic character and structure of the Staircase and certainly to ensure it remains an important pathway to and from the university. The main feature change you may note is that the new Stairs won’t have balustrades–it was simply not economically feasible. The design and other features of the new Stairs are a true reflection and nod to the special architectural design of the original Grand Staircase, and I’m excited to see it finally come to fruition.

This has been a passion project for many of our staff at EOU for many years. I want to thank everyone who worked tirelessly to find funding, manage the engineering and construction, communicate with our alumni and community, and negotiate through offices and departments for plan approvals so that we may build and enjoy a beautiful view and connection to the community.

Please watch Infoline and the website for updates on the construction, and thank you for being a part of this exciting transformation.

Warm regards,

Kelly A. Ryan, Ph.D.
President

Grand Staircase Historical Timeline

Grand Staircase Historical Timeline
1928-29	Grand Staircase is constructed as part of the new Eastern Oregon Normal School.
1929-1972	Grand Staircase is used as a primary connection between EOU and the community and utilized for different events, including the annual Evensong event (until 1972).
1972-2004	Grand Staircase remains open as a pathway to campus and community.
2004 – Sept	Grand Staircase closed to access due to deterioration; first Grand Staircase workgroup begins evaluating options with EOU, alumni, architects and friends.
2004 – 2022	EOU begins seeking funds from donors and state and federal sources.
2004 – 2022	Grand Staircase included in EOU capital construction proposals to the State of Oregon.
2008 – Mar	Grand Staircase Alternatives Analysis & Cost Estimate developed at $2 million.
2015 – Nov	Grand Staircase Condition Assessment & Cost Estimate developed at $2.7 million.
2019 – Feb	State directs EOU to Remove Grand Staircase from Inlow Hall Capital Funding Requests.
2020 – Dec	Grand Staircase Capital Improvement and Renewal Project: Enhanced Public Access Restrictions & Structural Integrity Evaluation of Inlow Hall should the Grand Staircase deteriorate in place. The evaluation determined Inlow Hall and the hillside would remain structurally intact under full deterioration, but the retaining walls and backfill have failed, requiring full replacement to current engineering and seismic code.
2022 – Feb	EOU receives $4 million in ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds through the State Legislature; Funds must be used by the end of 2024.
2022 – May-Jan 23	EOU moves to full removal and reconstruction contract documents in a Design-Bid-Build project delivery.
2023 – Feb	EOU receives City of La Grande Landmarks Commission approval on the project.
2023 – Feb	EOU receives State Historic Preservation Office Archaeological Permit approval.
2023 – Feb-May	Public bidding begins following approvals from Landmarks Commission approval and State Historic Preservation Office. Lowest qualified bid is $8.8 million.
2023 – May	Cost reduction proposal developed at $8 million by lowest qualified bidder.
2023 – May 31	EOU issues Notice of Intent to reject bids based on insufficient funds.
2023 – Jul-Sept	EOU obtains Independent Quality Control Analysis and Recommendations on project plans.
2023 – Oct-Nov	EOU conducts formal procurement for Design-Build Contractor services for a Guaranteed Maximum Price of $4 million.
2023 – Nov	EOU selects Garco, Inc., as the Design-Build Contractor.
2023 – Dec	EOU Changes project archeologist to meet Design-Build Contractor construction schedule.
2024 – Jan-Feb	Design-Build Contractor removes the original Grand Staircase under archeological permit.
2024 – Jan	Design-Build Contractor independently confirms original reinstallation at $8.4 million Guaranteed Maximum Price.
2024 – Jan-Mar	Design-Build Contractor develops options for a $4 million Guaranteed Maximum Price.
2024 – Mar 21	EOU Selection Option 2A’, which allows for the future installation of balustrades
2024 – April 15-24	EOU submits Option 2A’ to the City of La Grande on April 15, 2024, offering to attend the next regular Landmarks Commission meeting. City issues administrative approval of Option 2A’ on April 24, 2024.
2024 – May 16	EOU executes Guaranteed Maximum Price Amendment for $4 million to Design-Build Contractor to complete Installation of Option 2A’.
2024 – May	Following the Landmarks Commission approval of Option 2A, EOU began the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) process with the State Historic Preservation Office and City of La Grande in consultation on Option 2A’. Typical MOA process can take up to several years to complete.
2024 – Jun 7	EOU issues press release issued on reinstallation, including renderings.
2024 – Jun 14	Archaeology team communicates State Historic Preservation Office approval for excavation to start on Reinstallation.
2024 – Aug 5	EOU meets with the Friends of the Grand Staircase and Restore Oregon to review the decision, selection, consultation, and approval process, including how the balustrades were included for installation in the future with funding.
2024 – Aug 23	EOU reiterates plans with Restore Oregon, noting the project design allows for the future installation of the balustrades as funding allows. Estimated costs for balustrades are in excess of $1.5 million.
2024 – Aug 30	City informs EOU they believe the Grand Staircase project does not meet State Historic Preservation Office requirements and may require the Memorandum of Agreement to be revised and approved by the Landmarks Commission. EOU’s Historical Architect clarifies project details and timelines with the State Historic Preservation Office and the City of La Grande.
2024 – Sept 24	EOU and Historical Architect meet with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). SHPO provides review of roles and responsibilities and confirms EOU is following the required State Historic Preservation Office process. SHPO recommends updates to Memorandum of Agreement and confirms the Memorandum of Agreement cannot include unfunded mandates.
2024 – Dec 31	Grand Staircase replacement completed

If you would like to contribute to the Grand Staircase Project, please direct your donation to the EOU Foundation at eou.edu/foundation/giving and note your designation for the Grand Staircase.