Preliminary steps for the construction of a new Observatory Hill Dining Hall began last week, ushering in a year of major renovation in the Alderman road area.
Construction, which will involve demolishing both the current O-Hill structure and the Tree House facility in favor of a modernized 62,000 square foot building, is expected to be finalized by Fall 2004.
The new structure will be located north of the current site, in the now grassy area between the McCormick Road parking meters and the current Observatory Hill facility.
The current dining hall will remain open to patrons while the new building is constructed.
"Demolition was designed so it won't cause any disruption to normal food operations," said Thomas F. Farrell, Board of Visitors buildings and grounds committee chairman.
Discussion regarding the possible renovation or replacement of O-Hill began about two years ago, Farrell said.
High costs and inefficient use of space ruled out the option of renovating instead of replacing the facility.
"The existing structure sits right in the middle of the lot," Farrell said. "It's a very ineffective use of that space."
Once built, the replacement structure will combine all services offered by both the O-Hill dining hall and the Tree House in one building. The new three-story structure will be entirely modernized with a 1,000-person dining area, marche-style open kitchens and food stations and a first floor emporium complete with convenience store and independent pizza and deli retailers.
The space occupied by the current facilities will be used as open gathering and lawn space, University Project Manager Libba Bowling said.
Currently, temporary walkways are being built to provide new entryways to O-Hill. A permanent path connecting Maupin and Webb dormitories with Tree House Drive also is under construction.
During April, the north wing of the current building will be torn down and soon after, construction of the new structure will begin.
All operations have been designed to cause O-Hill patrons as little inconvenience as possible.
"It will affect them only in that their paths are going to be different," Bowling said.
Signs outlining new paths will be posted in all first-year suites, Bowling added.
Financing for the $22 million project will come from two sources.
The Board authorized the issuance of $10 million in bonds for the construction. These bonds will be repaid once the structure is built.
The remaining $12 million will be financed by cash from dining service funds, said Colette Sheehy, vice president for management and budget.
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