Advertisement

Mason Center demolished after 70 years

|
Tuesday, May 4, 2021 7:52 PM
Lee Petty, a city of Durango landscape architect, looks at his former office in the Mason Center. The city tore down the dilapidated, 70-year-old building in late April.

Durango’s Mason Center has seen its last days.

The city of Durango demolished the 70-year-old building last week, leaving only the gym to be used for city storage.

At 15,300 square feet, the Mason Center previously housed a gymnastics program, elementary school and multiple education centers. The plot’s playground is often used as a play space for schools, child care programs and church groups.

But the building, at 301 E. 12th St., near the Smiley Building, was also deteriorating and insulated with asbestos. Talk of tearing it down heated up in 2019 when a portion of the center’s roof collapsed because of heavy spring snow.

Two wings filled with former classrooms were torn down, leaving more room for recreation, according to city officials.

The tennis courts, playground and 14 parking spaces will remain, and a portion of the parking lot will become a grassy area. The city will also install topsoil, irrigation and turf grass seed to improve the park’s landscaping.

smullane@durangoherald.com

Two wings of the Mason Center building were removed, but its gym will remain.
The Mason Center, at 301 E. 12th Street, housed gymnastics, educational and other programs before it fell into disrepair.
After removing the building, the city of Durango will add landscaping improvements, retain the playground and tennis courts, and turn a portion of the parking lot into a grassy area.
Advertisement