Image by FIU, courtesy of Creative Commons
Sofia Galiano/ Staff Writer
Renovations are underway at the Biscayne Bay Campus’ Wolfe University Center this summer.
Changes are coming to Panther Plaza, the storefront and interior of the bookstore and the Mary Anne Wolfe Theater as an effort to enhance the student experience at BBC, according to WUC Director Scott E. Jones.
“Overall, all of [the renovations] are to the benefit of students,” said Jones.
He said the approximate months’ worth of work is moving quicker than expected.
courtesy of FIU
The Panther Statue, twin of the original monument mounted in front of the U.S Century Bank Arena at the Modesto A. Maidique Campus, was placed outside of WUC on May 29.
Jones said the one-ton statue is covered by a tarp to protect it during construction and that it may not be unveiled until fall, when WUC construction is completed and presented in the Panther Plaza Ribbon Cutting set for August 29.
Renovations in the bookstore began last Friday, marked by a temporary wall during the initial weekend of construction.
A wider storefront entrance, laminate wood floors and new eating options are just some of the changes to come by July.
Courtesy of Jeff Krablin.
Juli Savage, BBC bookstore manager, said she is always looking for new food items, like the recently added oatmeal machine or hot soups and chili. Although renovations are underway, the space of the bookstore will remain the same.
“My problem was I was running out of space and electric,” said Savage.
As a result, a countertop will be installed where the ice cream machine is located to provide additional room and power, according to Savage.
The theatre booth is undergoing the first phase of renovations with audio-visual upgrades, also expected to be completed by this summer. Meanwhile, the theatre will be closed for events.
Classes and programing will regain access to the theater in fall, and the second phase of renovations offering new floors and seating is scheduled for completion by fall 2015.
Jones said day use lockers will be also installed in the Wolfe Center.
-bbc@fiusm.comWU
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