About 2,100 students were given a warm welcome Sunday evening when the newly renovated Akers dining hall, The Edge, opened for the first time since construction began in May 2014.
The Edge at Akers is the last of seven major renovations since the 2009 RHS Dining Master Plan including Brody Square, Riverwalk Market in Owen Hall, Holden Dining Hall, South Pointe at Case Hall, the Vista at Shaw and Heritage Commons at Landon, Communications Manager of Culinary Services in the Division of Residential and Hospitality Services Jenna Brown said.
“The dining master plan has been an integral part of upgrading the on-campus dining experience,” Communications Manager Kat Cooper said. “This final large-scale renovation provides parity to students on the East side of campus, but overall, the plan has given students the variety and flexibility they need to be academically successful.”
The renovations also included the installation of fire alarms in every residence hall room, renovated lounges on each floor and an increased accessibility for students with disabilities by installing elevators that open directly to the dining halls.
“The past five years has been a time of renewal for RHS,” Cooper said, “We’ve invested significantly in our residence halls and dining halls in order to help them meet the needs of current and future Spartans.”
Overall, students and faculty are pleased with the makeover in East Neighborhood.
“I like the variety,” supply chain freshmen Michelle Rogowski said. “It’s really convenient (how close everything is, especially in East Neighborhood).”
Chef Jason Strotheide describes how the simple change of a typical dining hall ambiance can refresh the attitudes of students.
“The Edge pushes the envelope of food service ... meeting the needs of every diet,”he said.
Cellular neuroscience senior Michelle Boyd missed the opportunity to enjoy the newly renovated facilities. Now living in University Village Appartments, Boyd lived in Akers when there was no dining options in the hall.
“I’m glad they’re getting renovated for future students,” she said.
MSU employees said the renovations will give Akers hall, which previously had no dining hall or Sparty’s, more options, as well as adding to the neighborhood overall.
“We believe that the renovations will increases their culinary options and improve East Neighborhood,” Complex Dining Service Manager of East Neighborhood Brenda Nelson said.
The Edge has six food stations featuring different cuisines: The Pit serves smoker-style meats, vegetable entrées and grill items; Tandoori highlights authentic Indian and global cuisine; Sticks & Noodles plates stir-fry and Asian cuisine; Stacks serves subs and deli sandwiches along with Slices which offers pizza and pasta bakes; while Sprinkles ends the meal with dessert.
Looking forward, Spartans should still expect to see and hear construction around campus.
“Our next big project will be the redevelopment of the Spartan Village Apartments on the former Michigan State Police Post on the corner of Harrison and Kalamazoo,” Cooper said. “Pending Board of Trustee approval to proceed in June, we anticipate new apartments for student families and single students to open on this site and sometime around 2017.”
