Though the State Building Commission approved construction for Phase II of the Memorial Union Reinvestment Wednesday, and signed off on a funding increase, the project could see a delay in commencement.
Phase I of the Reinvestment began in Summer 2012, with renovations focusing on the Union’s west wing and 5th floor.
Katie Carry, the Union student building project manager, said the state’s usual procedure for building projects involve outlining and approving the design plans before starting construction. With the first phase of the Reinvestment, however, the Union was able to bypass the typically longer process and receive a waiver to conduct design planning while beginning construction.
Carry said because a waiver requesting the condensed construction process was not presented before the commission, a waiver is not possible for the next phase, therefore delaying the start of the next round of renovations.
“We really liked that process and wanted to do that again for Phase II,” Carry said.
Phase II will target the Terrace and the Union’s current dining options.
“We wanted to get this building done as quickly as possible for students,” Carry added.
The Union’s initial plan was to begin Phase II later this year, after the summer reveal of the Reinvestment’s first phase. However, Phase II could be delayed until 2015 due to the commission’s decision, Carry said.
Despite the construction delays, Carry said the total time Memorial Union will be under renovation and face closure will remain the same.
