A glass building similar to von der Heyden Pavilion may be constructed to accommodate eateries during West Union renovations, University officials said.
Talks are still preliminary, but if current plans are adopted, the building will be situated behind Page Auditorium, adjacent to the West Union Building. Construction of the building will take approximately one year, said Dean of Undergraduate Education Steve Nowicki, adding that it may be completed as early as three years from now.
University officials met Tuesday to discuss the plans.
"One of the things we do when the West Union Building gets renovated is fill that mission the [Campus Culture Initiative] report has challenged us to do," Director of Dining Services Jim Wulforst said. "We have fast food on campus because I had no other choice-I had to be able to put food choices in very small spaces. The report is right on, we need casual dining in a relaxed atmosphere."
The building must house a number of seats comparable to that of West Union eateries, Wulforst said, adding that West Union dining options will move to the new building during the renovations, and may be relocated there permanently. He said, however, that the eateries may be reevaluated at some point.
Renovations to the West Union and construction of the new glass structure could cost the University tens of millions of dollars, Nowicki said, but he noted that sources of funding have not been determined.
"What I hear from students is that they love that type of architecture and feel of the space-the height and the living-roomish type feel it has-so I guess that's what they're trying to present," Wulforst said.
The "historical outer shell" of West Union will be left intact, but the interior will undergo thorough renovations to better accommodate student needs, Nowicki said.
"It's on the prime real estate of the University-it should be showcased," he said. "The thinking is to deeply and thoroughly renovate it to make it the showcase it is supposed to be."
Talks of an additional building also stem from the need for additional social space for students. If constructed, the new building could be used as a social center after the eateries have closed, Nowicki said, adding that he has been discussing such a possibility with campus leaders.
Duke Student Government President Jordan Giordano, a senior, said DSG has been advocating additional social spaces in conversations with numerous student groups.
Following the completion of West Union renovations and the building of the new structure, Wulforst said the West Union could be used for other concepts like sit-down restaurants, such as Melting Pot or Lemon Grass-which was originally slated to occupy the current Panda Express space in the Bryan Center.
In the future, with New Campus, Nowicki said he envisions a strip of "interesting places and spaces" on campus with the West Union as the anchor. Current students can contribute ideas to the project, though they may not have the opportunity to experience and utilize the product, he said.
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