Construction has begun again on North Campus. The Lawrence Dining Center is currently undergoing a 12,000 square foot, twostory expansion.The new addition is going to offer students a new massive, twostory, multi-activity space that will provide a variety of recreational, dining and lounge experiences. An Einstein Bagel kiosk is going to be central to the new space and will provide take-out bagels, coffee and sandwiches.
The new area will house a convenience store where students will be able to purchase snacks and other items. It is also going to include an open mezzanine featuring a brass railed staircase that will lead to a new student lounge.
The area is also going to be the new home for the Smart Start Center and computer lab, as well as the new offices of Residence Life and Housing Services and Student Programs, which are currently located on the second floor of the Sykes Student Union.
The area for these new offices is going to encompass 5,000 square feet and will accommodate the current staff as well as provide needed space for additional administrative and support areas.
According to Loretta MacAlpine, director of public relations and marketing on campus, the new areas will “better service students? needs.”
Included in the renovation is going to be a retro-style diner restaurant. This new diner will be complete with formica counters and stools, vinyl booths, chrome and glass dcor, and neon signs that will be reminiscent of times past. The diner will offer students the option of late night dining along with traditional fare.
Throughout the ground floor of the expansion area there will be multi-style dining seating that will incorporate a combination of booths, caf tables and lounge chairs. The addition of new seating will expand the current dining capacity by 250 students.
MacAlpine said that the new expansion will “enhance our students ? recreational and dining experiences.” The project is also going to include an exterior plaza that will have umbrella caf tables, chairs,and benches where students can eat and relax.
The plaza, which will be paved, will be bordered by a new stone alumni memorial wall. The wall will display the dedication plaque that is currently in the planter in front of the Lawrence Dining Center. It will be designed to hold outdoor events and will have an exterior stairway.
The addition is going to be made of both brick and glass and will be designed to reflect the style of University Hall. The two buildings will share both parking areas and pedestrian walkways. The main entrance into the expansion area will be similar in configuration to that of neighboring University Hall.
The new area is going to provide students with more space and will serve as another place where students can eat and relax. The expansion is going to be a welcome addition to North Campus.
It is anticipated that the expansion will be completed during the fall semester of 2005.