Students wonder how renovation will affect Central Campus noise level, navigability.
By Allie Beckett, Staff Writer
With the renovations of the Talley Student Center only weeks away, the campus and students are preparing to face the effects of the extensive construction project.
According to Jennifer Gilmore, marketing and communications manager for NC State Dining, the first phase Talley reconstruction will feature new dining options and a massive new ballroom – as well as a great lawn with a rain garden.
“The beginning of a project is always the muddy and unfun part,” Gilmore said, “As the project progresses, the first addition and the great lawn will begin to take shape, which should build more excitement.”
Students such as Jacob Glasgow are curious about the effects the renovations will have on the campus and if they will cause any inconveniences.
“I don’t live on campus anymore, but when I did I went to Talley a lot,” Glasgow, a junior in textile technology management, said, “If I did live on campus I would be concerned about not having access to the dining areas in Talley and not being able to cut through to get to my classes.”
Gilmore said the University is making efforts to minimize the impact the construction will have on the students.
“The project is designed in phases because life always continues on the campus and we need to allow for that,” Gilmore said, “Facilities is working with the construction firm to minimize the impacts to the campus and to ensure people can move around the project and access the existing Talley Student Center.”
Casie Musgrave, a junior in English, said she is concerned about the noise construction will cause.
“I study in and near Talley sometimes in between classes, and I’m worried that the construction noises will be distracting,” Musgrave said.
According to Gilmore, the construction company, Rogers & Russell, has a lot of experience working in noise-sensitive areas where interruptions are not generally welcomed.
“They will do everything they can to minimize construction noises,” Gilmore said, “Noise cannot always be avoided, so they will issue construction noise alerts throughout the project.”
Alex Schmid, a junior in French, questioned whether the project was necessary and said students’ money could be used in better ways.
Gilmore defended the necessity of the project, however.
“First, Talley and the Bookstore are too small, and they have been too small for quite some time now,” Gilmore said, “Second, both are suffering system failures and limitations that make it impossible to make improvements without a major investment.”
Teddy Lupton, a sophomore in mathematics, and Jordan Pressley, a sophomore in engineering, both said that the renovations will not impact them much.
“I don’t have much of an opinion on the renovations, because I have only set foot in Talley like twice” Lupton said.
“The renovations are cool but I don’t think they will affect me,” Pressley said, “I will be on Centennial most of the time.”
According to Gilmore, the new Talley will be much more welcoming and should become used by more students for more purposes.
“Instead of being dark, uninviting and utilitarian, the new Talley Student Center is being designed to enhance student life,” Gilmore said, “We expect this to be a 24-hour facility with lots of good food, study, interaction, lounging and entertainment options.”
According to Gilmore, phase I of the project is beginning June 1 and is expected to be complete by September 2013; the Talley renovations are scheduled to be completely finished in late 2014.
If students have any questions regarding the renovations or would like to view the model, there will be a Talley Info Day today from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. in Talley Student Center.