YSU delays Kilcawley renovations by three years

YOUNGSTOWN

Youngstown State University will delay plans to renovate Kilcawley Center and instead focus on making improvements to major academic buildings across campus.

“In this time of scarce resources, it is imperative that we direct our attention and funding to areas that are most critical to the academic excellence of the institution and the success of our students,” YSU President Cynthia E. Anderson said. “Therefore, we are re-directing our efforts to ensure that the university’s academic buildings provide the highest quality learning environment possible.”

The university had planned to start renovations to Kilcawley Center, which serves as YSU’s student center, Monday. Instead, $10 million in bond funding for that project will be re-allocated for upkeep and improvements of academic buildings.

The project was estimated at $13.7 million. Besides the bond funding, the project was to come through Kilcawley Center reserves, a new food-services contract in the center, money left over from the Wick Pollock House restoration project and the Williamson College of Business Administration building construction, the Centennial Master Plan account, the technology fund and a payment or loan from the university housing reserves.

Instead, three academic buildings will be targeted: DeBartolo Hall, opened in 1978 and home of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences; Cushwa Hall, opened in 1976 and home of the Bitonte College of Health and Human Services; and Bliss Hall, opened in 1977 and home of the College of Fine and Performing Arts. Specific improvements to the buildings have yet to be determined.

“Our plan is to defer the Kilcawley Center renovations for three years,” said Jack Fahey, interim vice president for student affairs.

Fahey said it has become clear the university did not have sufficient funds to properly and fully renovate Kilcawley at this time. That, combined with the growing need for improvements in academic buildings, resulted in the decision to change course.

Ron Cole, university spokesman, said that to date, YSU has invested about $751,000 in the project for pre-design, schematic design, design development and construction documents. The money was paid to W.T.W. Architects of Pittsburgh.

“We plan to use those plans when we pick up the project three years from now,” Cole said.

Anderson also said that she is committed to reviewing all building and improvement projects to ensure that the greatest areas of need on campus are being addressed.

“We have done a great job over the past several years upgrading the curb appeal of the campus,” Anderson said. “We must now focus on the condition of the interiors of our facilities, and especially our academic buildings.”

The university is also currently in the process of a comprehensive study to improve and expand facilities for the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, now housed in Moser and Ward Beecher halls.

The Kilcawley renovation planned to expand the Chestnut Room, moving it to the building’s second floor. A combined food court was to be created on the first floor, entry ways enhanced, and conference spaces consolidated on the second floor — separating them from student spaces on the first floor.