Project Overview

Project Scope and Description

The goals of this project are:

• Reallocate space to better align with current needs, and add new space where needed,
• Refurbish aging interior and exterior finishes,
• Provide a vibrant, exciting facility that is attractive and engaging to students,
• Modernize kitchen, food delivery and dining areas
• Upgrade mechanical and electrical systems, and
• Demonstrate high performance building and energy conserving construction elements.

Background and Purpose

The project will revitalize and expand the University Center (UC) with 70,170 GSF of functional renovation and 43,000 GSF in additions (see space tabulation beginning on page 10 for further detail). The University Center is located between Reserve and Fremont Streets, north of Old Main and immediately southeast of the academic core. It serves as the major social, recreation service, and out-of-class educational center for the entire university community. The Center's stated mission includes: education, service, human renewal, and the development of a physical and psychological environment supportive of student development.

The original University Center, consisting of approximately 41,000 GSF was completed in 1959. A 36,000 GSF addition was completed in 1965 and followed by a second addition of approximately 71,000 GSF in 1973. A two-story, 4,800 GSF addition in 2000 provided a food service receiving dock and building storage and brought the building to its current total approximate 152,800 GSF. Other smaller renovations have occurred over the years. A kitchen and dining room remodeling took place in 1982 and in 1999, an elevator project linked all five building levels for the first time. The year 2000 project also remodeled 17,230 GSF of the 1959 lower level.

Food service facilities within the University Center as it closed included Pointer Express, Wooden Spoon, and Taco Bell. Also located in the Center were the Campus Information Center, University Bookstore, Student Government, Student Involvement and Employment Office, Text Rental, Campus Activities and Recreation Office, Haircraft, University Floral Service, Conference and Reservations Office, the Basement Brewhaus, Program Services, a 24-hour TYME machine, meeting rooms and a large student study lounge.