Millions of dollars worth of updates and renovations to campus cafeterias could continue next year if the MSU Board of Trustees votes to authorize a May construction start for upgrades to Shaw Hall’s cafeteria at its Friday meeting.
The $13.95 million renovation to Shaw Hall’s existing dining space in the center of campus would create a dining hall similar in style to Brody Square and the Gallery at Snyder and Phillips halls. The project also would replace the parking lot west of Shaw Hall with grass and update the building’s first-floor lobbies and lounges, according to board documents.
Vennie Gore, MSU’s assistant vice president for Residential and Hospitality Services, said construction at the site is expected to finish in January 2013 if approved. MSU Trustee Brian Breslin called the planned construction “a great project.”
“It’s very consistent with what we’re trying to do to upgrade the quality of life for students,” he said. “I’m pretty confident that everybody’s going to be happy with the results.”
The planned move falls in line with three other updates to MSU cafeterias in recent years, including a $49 million upgrade to Brody Square and about $20 million worth of ongoing construction at Case Hall, which is expected to open in January 2012.
Holden Hall’s cafeteria recently reopened for the start of the fall semester, featuring four new food stations similar to existing stations at Brody Square.
“(Shaw Hall’s cafeteria) is going to be our signature dining location in the center part of campus,” Gore said. “We’re following the same theme through all of our spaces.”
Music education senior Michael Wright said he frequents on-campus cafeterias, and said the planned upgrades would draw him to venture to Shaw Hall more often.
“If there were bigger food stations there, I’d be likely to go there once in a while,” he said.
Breslin said Shaw Hall’s planned renovations are a “catalyst” for keeping upperclassmen, such as Wright, interested in campus residence halls. The board also is expected to approve the university’s 2012-13 appropriations request, a document submitted to the state government requesting funding for the university.
MSU is requesting $241.1 million in general funding, $28.3 million in funding for MSU AgBioResearch programs and $24.4 million in funding for MSU Extension. The amount is the same as the 2011-12 year request.
A board vote also is planned on an authorization to proceed with a $32 million renovation to Bryan and Armstrong halls.
Renovations at those two dorms are part of a larger effort by Campus Living Services to remodel Brody Complex Neighborhood.
A newly-upgraded Emmons Hall opened to students this fall, costing about $13.9 million.
Bailey and Rather halls currently are under construction and are scheduled to reopen in the spring.
MSU Trustee Faylene Owen said in an email both Bryan and Armstrong halls are due for significant upgrades. Neither facility has received extensive remodeling in more than 40 years.
“Our goal is to make them modern, safer and enjoyable for student living and study,” Owen said.
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