PUB going the Way of the Kingdome

Remodel of PUB Building in the Works

By Heather Mupita
Ebbtide Correspondent

Plans are under way to remodel the PUB and make it more user friendly to students.

According to Scott Saunders, Interim Director of Student Programs, reported that construction will begin after spring quarter next year. The remodel had the approval of the majority of the students who voted in an election held in December 1999. Students voted for this move because most of them felt that the current PUB lacked adequate facilities. The plans were developed with students and staff members. Saunders further indicated the remodel will ensure that there is space for more meeting rooms, offices, a bigger dining room, games and clubs. It had also been proposed that the Cosmetology Center be included in the plans, but this idea has been shelved.

A major portion of the remodeling will be funded by the students through contributions of $3 per credit up to a maximum of 10 credits, which are included in student fees. This was also approved by the majority of students. The project has an estimated cost of about $15.4 million of which $12.5 million is expected to come from student contributions. Another $2.9 million will come from college sources, including the bookstore, cafeteria and espresso sales. The bookstore and a coffee shop will be housed in the new building. A proposal is also under way to apply for a low-interest loan from the State Board of Colleges for a loan payable in 15-20 years. This is because the fees are still being collected from the students to reach the estimated target.

The building will have three floors, the bookstore in the basement, a coffee shop, kitchen and dining room on the middle floor, and offices on the top floor. The Bookstore will be in the southeast corner where there is more sunlight than its present location offers.

The bookstore will also be more accessible. Students will be able to walk to and from the Foss building and the ramp will be removed as there will now be direct access between the buildings. The bookstore’s current location will be converted into a tutoring space. The dining room with an outdoor patio will also be relocated from its present position to allow sunlight into the room building. The coffee shop will also have an outdoor patio. There will be a large game room for ping pong and interactive games. A meeting room is also in the plan. The third floor will house offices for international student programs, student government, clubs, the Women’s Center, the Multicultural Center and the Ebbtide newspaper.

The carpentry and maintenance department will move from the PUB to a new site on campus. There will be more space in the new building to allow for relaxed studying. Those with laptops will be able to connect their computers to the Internet. New student orientation and registration will also take place in the remodeled building. There will be lots of open space right up to the top-floor ceiling, where a large glass skylight will flood the entire building with light all the way down to the basement. This will ensure that there is plenty of sunlight and heat in winter and that it is cooler in summer. The skylight will also make the building soundproof.

One might ask where the students will go while this process is taking place. A huge tent will be set up near the theatre to temporarily house the PUB. The offices located in the PUB will also be temporarily relocated. This cost will be borne by Shoreline Community College.

Saunders stated that the architects who have been for the project, of OPSIS Architecture, and are specialists in designing student union buildings. They have designed student union buildings for Highline Community College, Washington State University and the University of Idaho.

Saunders said that Construction will likely begin in July 2005. The project will take about 14 months and thus should be completed in September 2006. “As soon as the financing plan has been reviewed and approved by the state, construction drawing, the permit process, as well as the bidding for the construction, will commence,” he said.