WesternU Acquires Building for Library Expansion
Western University of Health Sciences (WesternU) has acquired a four-story
building at the northwest corner of Gibbs and Third streets in downtown
Pomona. The 40,000-square foot structure is slated for remodel as the
University’s new Health Professions Library and Learning Resource Center.
The 88-year-old building, originally known as both the Toll Building and
later as the PT&T Building, was presented to the health professions
university under a gift/purchase agreement with Jeved Management Company
owners Victor and Cathy Tessier.
The Tessiers had owned the former phone switching station since 1993. They
are long-time WesternU supporters, having leased the former Nash’s
Department Store building to WesternU in 1990. The Nash’s building was
subsequently purchased by the University in 1993, and was converted to the
Health Sciences Center – the site of WesternU’s current medical library
and learning resource center. Ed Tessier, one of three children of Victor
and Cathy Tessier, sits on the advisory committee of the University’s
Center for Disability Issues and the Health Professions.
Remodeling of the building into the new health professions learning center
could begin as early as February, pending city approvals, said Stuart
Wiener, WesternU’s chief operating officer. The Pomona-based architectural
firm JKI Design and Development will design the new library, with input
from a 15-member library design advisory committee. The committee is
headed by Library Director Judy Kraemer, MLIS, and is comprised of student
and staff representatives from all of the University’s disciplines.
JKI’s Todd Clark said preliminary plans for the building call for the main
entrance to move from the building’s south side to the east side facing
Gibbs. These plans call for a large glass facade to be added by the
building’s east side, creating an attractive light-enhancing entrance,
Clark said.