Though Phase One of the Memorial Union Reinvestment project is finished, the Union and Terrace will see more changes in the years to come.
UW-Madison students and community members met with MUR architect Nat Stein Monday to discuss the second phase of the project, which includes the brand-new Alumni Park.
Alumni Park will stretch between the Red Gym and Memorial Union and include large green spaces, a water feature and interactive exhibits. This new addition will raise the land to make it level with the first floor, with the goal of creating an inviting experience for Terrace visitors, Stein said.
Phase Two, which will begin June 2015, will also restore and alter other aspects of Memorial Union, including Der Rathskeller, Tripp Commons and other meeting spaces.
Once completed, the Terrace will have a new concession stand and an improved stage with a permanent roof.
Changes to the east first floor will include updated versions of the current restaurants, as well as introducing new food outlets such as Fresh Express, Badger Market and an Italian bistro.
A UW-Madison graduate student who chose to remain anonymous said she is most excited about the addition of the Fresh Express restaurant, which will offer fresh salads and made-to-order soups and sandwiches.
“It’s a concept that is really unique in the sense that we don’t have anything like that yet on campus,” the student said. “[Nothing] that has local ingredients and makes it accessible to students.”
Stein said the Terrace construction will begin after Labor Day of 2015 to allow students to use the Terrace as long as possible.
