The first phase of the Bone Student Center Revitalization is winding down as new spaces have started to open to the public over the last month.
The most recent public unveiling happened Monday, March 18, with the opening of the bottom two levels of the Bone Student Center’s new east-side addition. These floors include the relocated InfoCentre welcome desk and the Barnes & Noble-Illinois State University Bookstore. Two food venues also opened in addition: Starbucks on the first floor and Qdoba on the second floor.
This summer, the addition’s third floor is scheduled to open with a new space for the Office of Admissions. A third dining location, The Landing, is scheduled to open around the same time.
Phase one renovations also included updates to the east and west entrances to the Bone Student Center, as well as major changes to the Brown Ballroom. The ballroom now can be divided into three different spaces, and a foyer has been added. This work was completed in mid-February.
“As phase one of the Bone Student Center Revitalization nears completion, we are thrilled with the progress made each and every day,” said Bill Legett, director of Event Management, Dining, and Hospitality (EMDH). “We truly appreciate the support, patience, and understanding of the campus community during the construction. To start opening new spaces and sharing them with guests is extremely exciting for us.”
EMDH staff described the second part of the project as a “quiet phase.” First, the catering kitchen will be relocated from the second floor to the first floor. The vacated space will be renovated to accommodate the Office of the Dean of Students; the Student Involvement Center; and Event Management, Dining, and Hospitality’s administrative offices.
The third and final phase of the reconstruction project will transform the vacated second-floor catering kitchen into a three-venue food court. The identity of those tenants has yet to be announced. All Bone Student Center renovations are set to be complete in 2020.
To learn more about the Bone revitalization project, view construction progress, and receive updates on service availability, check out the Bone’s website and be sure to follow their social media on Facebook, @ISUBone; Instagram, @EventsandFoodatISU; and Twitter, @EventsFoodISU.
Having known Bob Bone and having been a member of the University Union Board in the “old days”, I am proud of what ISU is doing in regards to the new Bone Center.