University of Delaware
Office of Public Relations
The Messenger
Vol. 6, No. 1/1996
Recognition: A Special Report
New Student Center to open this spring

     Take a stroll into the near future.
     You're walking through a broad corridor, your heels clicking
over shiny, grey-black terrazzo tiles. Neon arches shine
overhead. To your right, massive glass panels framed by stately
brick columns offer a glimpse of the University Mall. To your
left, a large panel of brightly colored letters spell out a
variety of food options: Pizza, burgers, tacos....
     But, you want to eat your supper on a tablecloth today. So
you continue north along the long corridor, walk upstairs and
wait to be seated at a full-service restaurant operated by the
University's Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management
(HRIM) program. Later, you might catch a movie downstairs, stop
by the bookstore or play billiards. You can also study under a
cathedral ceiling in a restored 19th-century church.
     This 'dream stroll' will soon be a reality. In April, the
University plans to open a new student center at the intersection
of South College Avenue and West Main Street.
     Students, alumni and other members of the campus community
will be able to enjoy the new complex, designed by renowned
architect Robert Venturi of Philadelphia.
     Andrew S. Welsh, senior project manager for Wohlsen
Construction Co., says the design is eclectic and contemporary.
Yet, he adds, traditional columns-composed of brick, limestone
and bluestone-blend well with historic Daugherty Hall and the
surrounding campus.
     An adjacent 580-space garage already provides parking for
University employees and visitors, says Jim Grimes, traffic
manager in the Department of Public Safety.
     Once completed, the student center will feature a circular
driveway adjacent to Daugherty Hall and landscape features to
complement the four-story garage. "By building a multi-level
parking structure," Tom Vacha, assistant vice president for
facilities, points out, "we were able to compress the garage onto
one corner of the site and make more room for the complex. It's
really going to be a great place for students and for visitors,
too."
     The center was planned, in part, in response to a need for
additional student dining facilities, Vacha says. Along with fast-
food outlets such as Taco Bell, the new structure will house an
upscale restaurant and food service laboratory run by HRIM.
Students who help manage the 65-seat dining room will gain hands-
on experience in the food-service industry. A teaching-and-
demonstration kitchen also is planned.
     With a $27 million price tag, the student center and parking
garage are becoming a reality thanks to private gifts,
institutional funds and a bond issue, which will be repaid by
student fees as well as revenues from
dining services, parking and the bookstore.
     Private funds are still needed to pay for the $3.2 million
HRIM facilities. Thus far, the Marriott Foundation has pledged
significant support and various other corporations have
contributed $150,000.