Progress, progress, progress…
Monday, September 15, 2008
Sometimes when I am walking around campus it seems like there is construction everywhere, because of that I get pretty excited whenever one of our major construction projects is completed. Right now the Journalism school is celebrating its Centennial with the brand new opening of the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute. The new building is a major addition to campus with its high tech library and modern study spaces and classrooms. I also love that where there once were construction trailers there is now even more beautiful green grass surrounding the columns.
Thinking about how cool the new J-school is gets me excited for when Project One of The New Student Center opens up later this year (January 2009). I have been blogging, thinking, speaking, and dreaming of this project for one year now, so I am really looking forward to seeing it finally open its doors to Mizzou’s student population. The project grows more and more every day. We truly have come along way from the “hole in the ground” that we had for most of last year.
In case you haven’t had a chance to walk by lately, here are some new pictures of the project:
Construction workers work on the walls of the second floor.
Here is another look at what is going on behind the fence. The building is growing so quickly now that this view seems to be changing everyday.
I know its probably nerdy to take a picture of a sign, but I am extremely excited about the possibility that hard hat tours could begin within the next month! I hope you guys are starting to get excited for Project One’s completion. I can promise you that its going to be pretty amazing.
Answers to Student Questions 2 of 2
Friday, August 29, 2008
I noticed the website said that Phase 1 of the project will be completed by Winter Semester of 09, and it said that they'll close Brady and transfer the facilities of Brady over to the Student Center.
But wouldn't it be wisest to maximize space by keeping some things in Brady and transferring some to the Student Center, or would it just cost them too much to maintain both buildings? Once they close down Brady, what do they plan to do with it? Do you know if they plan to replace it with some other building?
Also, I assume they'll transfer the Brady Mizzou Market, along with Fresco Cafe, Subway, and Brady Food Court to the New Student Center? What dining or food options do they also plan to add to the Student Center?
Hi,
I remember when I first looked at the new Student Center Project plans, I was a little confused on what was going to happen to Brady Commons. Your thoughts on maximizing space by transferring some things from Brady to the new Student Center are right on the money. Project one (the first half of the entire building) will be done in December. At that time many student necessities such as the Center for Student Life, TigerTech, and the University Bookstore will move over into the new facilities. Once the transfer is complete the current Brady will be completely overhauled to create new space for Project two. The complex is divided up into two separate projects in order to inconvenience students as little as possible. However, once both projects are complete they will unite to give Mizzou students one very cool new Student Center.
Project one will have non-franchise eating options upon opening. These will be placed in transitional space until the second project is completed. This will allow students to continue to have easily available food options. Additional seating has been added in Memorial Union to help offset temporary lack of seating during the Brady renovation.
Within the second project there will be many, many new lounge and food options. One of the most exciting is” The Shack,” a remake of one of Mizzou’s old hang outs that closed in 1984. “The Shack” will serve as a lounge by day and a programming space at night. The area will use memorabilia from the original Shack and will definitely have a nostalgic fee. “The Shack” will be placed directly next to a new games are and a grill called “Mort’s”—named after Beetle Bailey’s creator and Mizzou alum Mort Walker. Mort’s will feature a variety of food, possible including the once famous “Shack burger.” Mort’s will also have later hours giving students attending events at “The Shack” the chance to grab some food for the show. Other sit-down and take out options may include Brazilian barbeque, sushi, pasta, sandwiches, wraps, coffee and much more.
The new Shack is next to a new games area and a grill called “Mort’s”—named for Beetle Bailey creator and MU alum Mort Walker. Mort’s will serve a variety of food and will have later evening hours, so that if your going to an event at the Shack, you can take your food with you. Besides “Mort’s,” there will also be several sit-down and take out options such as Brazilian barbeque, sushi, pasta, sandwiches, wraps, coffee and much more.
Hopefully this answered your questions; feel free to e-mail me at PCB5YB@mizzou.edu if you have anymore.
Answers to Student Questions 1 of 2
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Hi, I had a few questions about the new student center project that I would love to have answered. What is that doorway that is being built just north of the construction site? I noticed its construction started about a month ago and I didn't know what it was doing being built so far from the project. When is the first phase of the construction supposed to be finished? I have heard mixed messages saying either spring 2010, or spring 2009. I would love it if I would be able to hang out inside the new student center. What is going to be in the first building? I would like to know what to expect from the completion of Phase 1. What will there be in the way of food and offices?
I also heard that the new Brady is not letting UMB bank have a branch inside. I hope this isn't true. I don't have a car and that bank has been an amazingly convenient way of banking; I don't know what I would do without it. I hope Patty can get a chance to answer these questions. I love the project, the blog, and the webcam. Also you should activate comments on the blog, interaction is the best. Thanks for your valuable time. Love, Noel Runkle
HI Noel,
You have several questions in here, so I am going to attempt to answer them all in the order you asked them. The doorway you are talking about is a stone mock up the contractors are using to show how the windows and doorways will be cut out. The other mockup in Kuhlman Court shows the two different kinds of limestone the building will be made up of.
Project 1 will be completed next December. So unless you are graduating, you will definitely have the chance to hang out, study, and eat in the new Student Center. Project 2 will be finished summer 2011.
As for you question about what will be in project one… The Center for Student Involvement, Greek Live, Student Orgs, MSA, Campus Activities, Student Design Center, and Leadership and Development will have a place in project one. The bookstore, Tiger Tech, and textbook reservations will also be fully equipped in project one. Summer Welcome and the Student Life director will have temporary space in Project 1 until Project 2 is complete.
The food set up will be very different from what we currently have in Brady. Until Project 2 is complete, there will be some transitional dining space set up by Campus Dining. This means students will continue to have eating options although they will have to carry out their food to another location. Upon Project 2’s completion, student will gain many more eating options and a lot more eating space. To make the waiting period easier Campus Dining and Student Auxiliary Services are working together to come up with more dining options and other seating locations.
I’m sorry to tell you that it is true that the UMB bank will not be in Project 1 of the new student center. Due to Project 2’s renovation there will be very little open space for ATM’s or a bank branch location. However, there will still be three ATM’s at Memorial Union; including the new Tigers Credit Union.
Once Project 2 is completed, banks will be able to bid for a location in the new student center. UMB won the bid last time and their contract ends this year. However, this also means they could be back in the future if they win the bid.
I am so glad you like the blog and the webcam. I really wish that we could turn the comment back on (hearing from other students is one of my favorite parts of my job J!) but in the past students took advantage of the commenting option. Feel free to E-mail me any questions you have, my E-mail is PCB5YB@Mizzou.edu.
Thanks for writing, and feel free to keep the questions coming.
Student Representative Bio
Monday, March 17, 2008
Hi,
To bring student attention to the project (as if you could miss it when you walk past Brady) I update a blog with current news updates, present to student groups about what will happen next in the construction process, and create marketing pieces for placement around campus and to put on the website. Any campus group wishing to know more about the project can easily set up a time for me to present to their organization, or simply E-mail me any questions. My E-mail is PCB5YB@mizzou.edu.
Thanks and I hope to hear from you soon!
The Hole Next to Brady
Thursday, February 14, 2008
What was formerly referred to as “the hole next to Brady Student Commons” is a hole no longer! Almost three-fourths of the basement flooring has been poured. Construction has also begun on the first floor, which means we should see the building growing up and up very soon. Basically, construction crews will be forming a deck with the forms and rods currently in place which the new floor will be formed on top of. Once the concrete has completely hardened, the support beams currently in place will be knocked out. This is really good because it means all the snow and cold weather Columbia has received this year won’t slow the project down. Project one remains on time.
I know it seems like construction is moving slowly, but this should be an exciting time because next year around now students will have already been using Project One for over two months!
