Drake Performance and Event Center

{{Short description|Student activity center at Ohio State University in Columbus, OH, US}}

{{Infobox building

| name = Ohio State University
Drake Performance and Event Center

| native_name = The Drake, Drake

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| former_names = Drake Union

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| image = DrakeUnion.JPG

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| image_size = 250px

| caption = Drake Center shown here on the West Campus of the Ohio State University

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| completion_date = 1971

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| demolition_date = November 2023

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| architect = Todd Tibbals

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The Drake Performance and Event Center was located at Ohio State University. Formerly known as the Drake Union, it was originally constructed as a student activity center before becoming home to the Department of Theater. The center was located on the west campus of Ohio State between Morrill Tower and Lincoln Tower off the east banks of the Olentangy River.

Background

With the construction of residence halls on west campus, Ohio State students living there found the walking distance to travel to the Ohio Union long, especially in the winter. The Board of Trustees approved the construction of a second union in 1969.{{Cite web |url=http://herrick.knowlton.ohio-state.edu/building.asp?building=12 |title=Herrick Archives Number 296: Drake Union |access-date=2007-10-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050527154640/http://herrick.knowlton.ohio-state.edu/building.asp?building=12 |archive-date=2005-05-27 |url-status=dead }} Designed by architect Todd Tibbals, the union was officially named after Edward S. Drake, a former manager at the Ohio Union for 33 years, in 1971 and officially opened in 1972 at a cost of $4.5 million. Following the construction, there were plans to build additional structures surrounding Drake Union, but those plans were cancelled.[http://www.thelantern.com/home/index.cfm?event=displayArticlePrinterFriendly&uStory_id=0b3b6799-d5fe-4236-9a2e-fee51336a60a Union to celebrate 25th b-day]{{dead link|date=December 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, Shelly Rashid, The Lantern, May 7, 1997, Retrieved October 14, 2007[http://theatre.osu.edu/4_facilities/level_3_facilities/spaces/drake.htm Drake Performance and Event Center] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511233414/http://theatre.osu.edu/4_facilities/level_3_facilities/spaces/drake.htm |date=May 11, 2008 }} Although it would appear Drake Union would rival the existing Ohio Union as Ohio State's second union, both unions worked together as community centers for students and visitors.

Uses

Drake Center housed the Department of Theater at Ohio State. The center offered Buckeye TV and houses The Ohio State University's on-campus marina. The center once housed Archie's Alley, which included bowling alleys, pool tables, and a bar, but closed in 1999 due to low patronage.[http://thelantern.com/1999/03/some-students-sad-as-little-known-bowling-alley-closes/ Some students sad as little-known bowling alley closes], Ponce Brown, The Lantern, March 10, 1999, Retrieved March 07, 2017

Demolition

In 2023, the Department of Theatre, Film, and Media Arts moved to a new building on the corner of West 18th Avenue and College Road.{{Cite web|date=2018-10-02|title=Arts District|url=https://artsandsciences.osu.edu/arts-district|access-date=2021-03-29|website=College of Arts and Sciences|language=en}} Following the move to the new building, Drake Union was demolished in November to make room for a new green space and riverfront commons along the Olentangy River.{{Cite web |title=Framework 2.0 |url=https://pare.osu.edu/sites/default/files/osu_framework_final_report.pdf |access-date=2021-03-29 |website=Ohio State University |page=47}}

References

External links

{{official website|https://drake.osu.edu/}}

{{coord|39.999303|-83.023195|type:landmark_globe:earth_region:US-OH|display=title}}

Category:Ohio State University buildings

Category:Student activity centers in the United States

Category:University District (Columbus, Ohio)