Construction for the new Gordon Bietz Center for Student Life is finally underway after experiencing several delays. Project completion is expected to be in June 2020, accounting for weather and no major delays.
Two years ago different plans for a student center were created and approved. However the high cost was a huge issue and those plans were dismissed. The process of creating entirely new building plans has been one contributing factor in the lengthy time frame of the construction. Another reason is that the current location next to the library is not easy to build on. Before even laying down a building foundation, tree excavation had to be done and then the removal of a high voltage power line.
Government bureaucracy also comes into play. There are requirements and permits at every level. Hamilton County, the State Fire Marshal, and Collegedale all have to sign off. Approval through these different channels has to be completed before major building can begin.
Coordination between departments moving into the new building also had to take place.
“When they first started talking about it, I thought that maybe my grandkids would be able to enjoy it, not me,” said Wait, a senior education major. “But now it seems like it might actually get done while I’m young.”
As the building construction continues, parking will be compromised because 50 spots will be taken away next to the library. However 50 new parking spots are in the works to be built by Hulsey and another 50 by Brock. Virginia parking lot has 72 spaces that are also going to be opened up to students.
The new student center was originally going to be located by the Village Market. However, administration started analyzing the logistics of having a student center that was not at a central location on campus. Foot traffic already exists between the main side of campus and Fleming Plaza. This would be made worse by adding another building. Administrators decided that centralization was key and that it would be more beneficial to have the student center right along the promenade and easily accessible to students.
There are five departments that are going to be moving into the new building: the Campus Kitchen, the Campus Shop/bookstore, the Chaplain’s office, the Student Success Center and Student Development. Coordination had to happen with all five departments and the sub-departments they oversee and this process took several months.
The new building has been designed with students in mind. The first floor is geared towards fun and giving students a place to just relax, hang out with friends and play games in the game room. The second floor has more seating areas, study rooms and the Campus Kitchen, which will be a new food option. The third floor will likely be quieter than the other two, holding offices for the various student services on campus.
Marty Hamilton, Southern’s associate vice president for financial administration, has been overseeing the project and is focused on making this building great.
“I want a person walking in to say, ‘This is a student center,’” Hamilton said.
The building will have several unique features including a bridge across the second floor, a slide going down to the first floor, bubble chairs that hang from the ceiling and an outdoor patio.
“This is going to be a transformative building for campus. There has never been anything this focused,” Hamilton said. “There are no classes taking place in this building. We want it to be open until maybe 11, in order to complement the library. Just a place to meet friends and hang out. Kind of like a living room for students.”
Image credit: Marty Hamilton