By MICHAEL COLLINS
Editor-In-Chief
Northwestern will have several different printed concepts of proposed changes to the mall of campus placed outside of the library on Saturday for high school seniors and guests to view during Ranger Preview.
“We asked our architect, who has worked with us on several of our projects, to come up with some ideas [for renovations], and he’s come back with several renderings that will be available on Saturday for guests to look at,” said Vice President for Administration, David Pecha. “There’s a couple of options that the renderings have [including] a bell or clock tower and several areas for students to sit and gather.”
According to Pecha, the proposed changes are needed improvements that have been the topic of discussion among the administration for a long time.
“As the University put together their capital master plan, which is a long term plan of things we want to tackle to improve our campus and facilities, the mall area was discussed as needing improvements. It’s very dated, sidewalks are beginning to crumble and it’s just in need of a facelift,” said Pecha. “The fountain that we currently have is an eyesore and no longer works, so we definitely want to get that out.” “We would like to keep some kind of water feature in the new mall area.”
Pecha also said the proposals are in the fundraising process and are seeking donations much like the new Dean Linder Press Box and turfed Ranger Field were before their construction.
“The majority of that funding will have to come from donated money and there have been a couple of private donors that have shown some interest in wanting to do something in that space,” said Pecha. “Once you have a visual rendering of your project, that’s when people become engaged and serious about making contributions. You have to have a way to show what your vision is before you ever approach any potential donors.”
Pecha also addressed the remodeling project’s status amongst the upcoming state cuts in funding discussed in early October. According to him, the potential state cuts are not related to the renovations and their timetables.
“The unique thing is that none of our state appropriated dollars or our tuition and fee dollars would go to pay for these remodeling projects.” “They are either with capital funds the university receives that can only be used for capital projects or they’ll come from fundraised dollars.”
Pecha also said the mall project is only one of three proposed updates that could be addressed over the next few years.
“We also waiting on some visuals and renderings on renovations for the Herod Hall auditorium. That’s another public space that needs to be updated,” said Pecha. “I would say Coronado Hall, the mall area and the auditorium are the three projects we are going to look at trying to fund over the next couple years.”
According to the University these projects must not be mistaken for immediate plans of action and may be constructed in phases.
“What we try present to all our potential and current students is the best possible experience they can have, and I know that facilities often times help drive a student’s decision on where they want to go to school. We are always conscious of trying to upgrade and improve what the university has; it just can take time to raise that money for these projects,” said Pecha.