Smith Memorial Center gets major surgery
As some may or may not have noticed recently, the Smith Memorial Center has been undergoing some major renovations. Specifically, the entrance on Broadway Avenue has been torn up and blocked by construction crews for several months now. This, however, is only the beginning of the renewal for Smith Center.
The Smith Center will have those same construction crews weaving in and out of its halls for the next year. The purpose of their visit is two fold. The construction workers and electricians are to improve the safety of the building, while also giving it a much-needed facelift.
“We are working on the building for two reasons. One is to bring the Smith Center up to the current fire and safety code. The other reason is because the Smith Memorial Center cafeteria has stayed virtually the same since the 1960s … it was the same when I attended this school,” said Francis McBride, project architect for Facilities.
Of notable interest to students are the changes being made to the cafeteria on the first floor of Smith Center.
The cafeteria will be split up into two portions. The current work is in the smaller Northwest corner of the building. The area is being upgraded seismically, again and up to fire and safety code. Also, asbestos in the ceiling will be removed.
One thing that immediately stands out is the removal of the stage.
“We had a lot of people mention the stage being in an awkward area, so we decided that since we were remodeling anyways we’d move it over into the extreme northwest corner. That way there is a better view for most people, as well as being closer to the windows,” McBride said.
The stage used to be against the wall opposite the windows, situated such that you had to more or less be sitting directly across from them to get a view of the performers. There will be a “bar” placed along side the wall, complete with stools.
Work will continue on the other side of the cafeteria next summer. The change won’t be as large as the stage area however. Most of the work to be done will be the seismic upgrade and the same work being done all over the building to bring it up to fire and safety code.
“This other half of the cafeteria was more recently changed than the one we’re working on now. The work over there won’t be as extensive, the space is newer and is more open,” McBride explained.
There is much more work being done and planned for the Smith Memorial Center. Much of the building has to be brought up to code, and this includes such areas as the Student Affairs office, a few halls and the Multicultural Center.
Student Affairs is having quite a bit redone to it as well. Much like the rest of the building it is being upgraded seismically. However, it is also under going cosmetic changes. Some of the small back offices are to be torn down. There will be a small student lobby made in that space.
“The lobby will be much like the one on the second floor of Smith Center. It will be smaller and a bit thinner though,” McBride said.
During the remodel of Student Affairs, the offices will more than likely be temporarily moved to the basement of Smith Center.
The lobby on the second floor, will also see a bit of change. The work will be all behind the scenes though, the only modification being made there will be the addition of a sprinkler system.
The last major change to Smith Memorial Center will be to the Multicultural Center.
“Seismic upgrades will be made to this area, as well as some other changes. We ripped up all the carpet in the Multicultural Center, and will be replacing it soon,” said McBride.
The work to be done on the Multicultural Center should be completed soon, perhaps by the beginning of the fall term. It will also have new lights put in, the previous ones being too dim.
All of the work cited should be done within a year’s time. The budget for the construction is approximately $3.5 million dollars.