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What a $45 million Union renovation could look like
▶ LARA KORTE
@lara_korte
Proposed renovations to the Kansas Union could include more study spaces, gathering areas and dining options, in addition to infrastructure updates.
Renovations are pending on an agreement from students to fund the $45 million project. Last month, Student Senate passed a bill adding a referendum to the election ballot. In April, the campus will vote on whether or not to add $50 to student fees for 30 years to fund the renovation. If the referendum passes, construction — and the fee increase - would begin in fall of 2019.
A digital rendering of what a renovation to first floor of the Union could look like, from Clark Huesemann Architects. In April, students will vote on a $45 million funding bill for renovations to the building. Contributed Photo
Proponents of the renovations say the update is long overdue.
"We have not done a comprehensive renovation of this building since it was finished in 1984," Lisa Kring, director of Building Services, said. "What we're seeing is certainly some of our systems that function in terms of temperature, plumbing and electrical are not at the caliber they need to be and they're certainly not running as efficiently as they should."
Kring said Union staff has held several meetings with engineering and architect firms to estimate the look and extent of the renovations. Right now the budget breaks down to about $38.5 million
for new construction and renovation, and $6.5 million for infrastructure, such as plumbing, heating and cooling.
The University is looking at ways to improve each floor of the Union, according to Kring. Chance Maginness, a junior and Union Referendum Campaign Chair, said there are no concrete plans right now, but he has a few ideas based on conversations with students.
We have not done a comprehensive renovation of this building since it was finished in 1984."
Lisa Kring Director of Building Services
"A lot of the feedback we've been getting has been study spaces, more daylight, more flex-spaces," Maginness said. "So down on the third floor youd have a place you can eat, you can study, you can socialize, hold meetings."
In addition to facelifts to student areas, Brian Ptacek, maintenance supervisor for the Kansas Union, said there are several behind-the-scenes updates that need to be made.
"We have a lot of old plumbing that needs to be replaced, a lot of old electrical that needs to be
replaced, and these are comprehensive jobs," Ptacek said. "We are currently on a two pipe system, which means we only have heating or cooling, and we can't do both at the same time. It is really hard to control temperature and make everyone comfortable in this building."
Ptacek said an update to Union systems would make the building more efficient and save money on the utility bill. According to Kring, the union used 4,305,625 kilowatt hours in fiscal year 2016, resulting in a $386,535 utility bill. Kring said estimates have determined updates to infrastructure could cut that by 25 percent.
"I don't mean to position this as 'the building is going to fall apart in may if [the funding] doesn't pass in April," Kring said. "But I think the reality is, if we don't do something of a more comprehensive approach, over the course of 30 years, the things required to maintain the facility are going to be far more expensive than if we take it now and do what needs to be done."
Here are some of the renovations the Union Advisory Committee is looking at for different floors, according to Kring and Maginness.
LOOR 5: WOODRUFF AUDITORIUM AND MEETING SPACES Kring said the lobby area of the fifth floor often
gets clogged while people are waiting for events in Woodruff auditorium. Knocking out the Governor's Room and International room would make room for "pre-function space."
FLOOR 4: MAIN LOBBY AREA AND STUDENT INVOLVEMENT AND LEADERSHIP CENTER
The plan is to add a more open plan to the fourth floor for more study and lounge space. Kring said they would like to take out a conference room in the Student Involvement and Leadership center to create a "straight shot" to the Sabatini Multicultural Resource Center.
There's also potential for a outward-facing coffee shop where the Union Gallery currently resides.
FLOOR 3: MARKET AND DINING AREA
The third floor could see a lot of what Maginness called "flex spaces," essentially seating that could be used for a variety of purposes. He said right now it used mostly for eating, and not much else.
"We can take a lot of that space through here, put up some flexible wall space, put up some different kinds of seating that really give us the opportunities to allow students to come down here at all times of the day," Maginness said.
There is also the option for more dining options in the Market area.
FLOOR 2: UNION
FLOOR 2: UNION BOOKSTORE
According to Kring, the second floor wouldn't get any major renovations. If any, she said, they would be cosmetic changes.
FLOOR 1: HAWKS NEST AND MEETING SPACE
The goal for the first floor is to add more open seating and create a club/ sports bar vibe, according to Kring. Ideally, it would be an area that could host a variety of programming that a space like the Ballroom couldn't provide.
What used to be Jaybowl on the first floor has since been converted into a meeting space. Kring said they would like to knock down that wall and open it up for more space.
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Competing Universities
University of Kansas·Washburn University·Kansas State University Wichita State University·Fort Hays State University Pittsburg State University·Emporia State University
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