Several construction projects are underway at Samford as part of its 20-year master plan. Most notably, the University Center, which is undergoing a $16 million renovation according to Associate Vice President for Operations and Campus Initiatives Kim Brown.
“The Food Court, Chick-Fil-a, and Coffee House is expected to be open for spring semester,” Brown said.
Almost all aspects of the university center are being renovated. The Caf will remain open during the renovation with one entrance from Ben Brown Plaza.
“The bookstore, post office, and Harry’s is expected mid-spring, around March 2019,” Brown said. “The Upstairs student commons is expected in May 2019.”
In addition to the university center, several other areas of campus are having work done, including Ingalls Hall, Propst and the Pete Hanna Center. Ingalls Hall is having the bottom two floors renovated and will soon be the location for many student services.
The Daniel House in London is also being refurbished. The process began over the summer and is expected to be finished in January 2019. The Daniel House is currently updating its kitchen, bedrooms and gathering areas. This project began over the summer and should be finished in January 2019.
According to Brown, administration is also looking into options for expanding parking. Over the summer, the art loft parking was rezoned.
“We are also studying places for additional parking spots in West Campus,” Brown said.
Over the summer, several projects were completed on campus including the remodel of the Rotunda Club. The Rotunda Club is a dining and event space that serves alumni and faculty who are members.
“The Mission of Samford University Rotunda Club is to enhance the outreach and advancement of Samford University’s Christian mission by providing for a unique dining experience for members and friends of the university,” Brown said.
One major noticeable improvement to campus is the RFID card access being added to all dorm buildings in Beeson Woods and West Village. Samford first updated Smith and Vail with RFID card access last year. Several dorms across campus received renovations such as new bathrooms and cabinets.
“All 2,500 spaces in dorms received general maintenance, electrical, plumbing, painting, lock/key, HVAC, floor scrubbing, and deep cleaning,” Brown said.
Also completed over the summer were the renovations of Reid chapel. Reid received upgraded HVAC systems, plaster repair, pew refinishing, steeple repair and sound system upgrades, according to a university statement.
Daniel Dodson, Copy Editor
