To a campus ever pressed for space, an unused 30,000 square feet almost seems like a sin. Moving one step forward towards absolution, University officials met with an architectural firm yesterday to begin the process of redeveloping the space left vacant when the University ’s main cafeteria moved from New South to the newly constructed Rev. Leo J. O ‘Donovan, S.J. Dining Hall this fall.
Since planning has just begun, ideas for what will fill the space are still sketchy. Among the proposals are a multi-purpose lounge space, meeting rooms, rehearsal space, a restaurant or pub, a copy center and an academic resource center.
While the specifics of the plan have yet to be finalized, the overarching purpose of the space is clear. “We want it to be the family room, not the parlor. We want it to be a place where students can go and hang on a Friday or Saturday night, not a place where you feel like you have to put on your jacket and tie,” said Director of Student Organizations Martha Swanson.
The firm chosen to design the space, SmithGroup, has worked on buildings on over 100 college campuses across the country, including the renovations of Georgetown ’s LXR and Harbin residence halls.
“The architects were very professional,” said Georgetown University Student Association president Brian Morgenstern (CAS ‘05). “They are looking for trends in what kind of space students use. They ‘re not just worried about what will be included, but about how it will work best,” he said.
While administrators originally predicted the space would be ready for students in the fall of 2005, they now expect the renovations to be completed later. The total project cost is estimated at $7,400,000 to $10 million.
Interim Vice President for Student Affairs Todd Olson is stressing the importance of student input during the design process. “We will have an advisory board that will respond to plans and ideas and give feedback on specific drawings and design layouts,” he said.
Morgenstern is encouraged by the administration ’s willingness to engage students in the design process. “We need to make sure this is a heavily utilized space,”he said. “It ’s great to work with people who are open to student input.”
According to Swanson, the residences in New South are also slated for renovation, although a construction date has not been finalized.
