UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2011
CAMPUS
PAGE 7
Wescoe Hall to get new technology, dining space in summer renovations
BY KYLIE NUTT knutt@kansan.com
A vital locale for many students, the Underground food court in Wescoe Hall is getting a makeover this summer.
Crews have begun an expansion project, but most of the retail food options will remain open. The convi-
ence store will temporarily close, but The Pulse coffeshop and food court will remain open.
Officals estimate that the project will cost $475,000, which is funded by student fees and will add 140 seats, reduce lines, improve traffic and increase service efficiency.
Temporarily, there will be less seating in the space, but it shouldn't
be an issue because there are fewer people using it in the summer, said Wayne Pearse, director of facilities at KU Memorial Unions.
Next door to the Underground, renovations are taking place this summer in two lecture rooms in Wescoe Hall that will improve technological capabilities by replacing the original walls and seating built in 1974.
This is a $500,000 project paid for by tuition funds, Jill Jess, associate director for News and Media Relations at University Relations, said in an email.
the classroom environment and capabilities," Jess wrote.
Design and Construction Management started construction after commencement on May 23. Work will be completed by the fall semester.
"The top priority was to improve
Lecture rooms 3139 and 3140 are closed for the summer to upgrade the seating to include a flexible back along with a larger tablet and seat.
Both rooms will be provided with three large screens at the front for superior viewing at every seat. Cameras will be positioned around the room to capture video of students and lecturers, which can be displayed on the
screens. A large podium will be fixed in each room and will be compatible with the latest technology, such as iPod and Blu-ray players.
Across campus, continued construction on the west side of Eaton Hall will disrupt traffic at 15th Street and Naismith Drive.
The new Measurement, Materials and Sustainable Environment Center at this location will undergo utility tunnel work, which will continue throughout the summer and is expected to be complete by Aug. 12.
Construction in the Underground, in Wescoe Hall, is in full swing. The food courts in the Underground will remain open as crews remodel parts of Wescoe Hall and the expansion will open by the fall semester. Construction will take place in various parts of campus during the summer.