Much more ahead for ‘Heart of the Campus’

What’s next for the heart of the North Campus?

Plenty.

With the completion of One World Café last spring, UB is turning the page and preparing for future phases of its “Heart of the Campus” master plan with the goal of remaking the spaces throughout Capen, Norton and Talbert halls.

“There are approximately three phases left and when we are finished all of Capen, Talbert and Norton — floors ground through three — will be renovated,” says Kelly Hayes McAlonie, director of campus planning.

Unveiled in 2012, the Heart of the Campus master plan aims to build “community” and a “sense of place” in Capen, Norton and Talbert halls by renovating classrooms, study spaces, computer labs, library facilities and dining services to provide a new “learning landscape.”

Three phases are complete. Phase I was renovation of the third floor of Silverman Library and added accessibility on the ground floor of Capen. Phase II was a modernization to the ground floor of Capen, which included the additions of One Capen, Student Conduct and Advocacy, and the Center for Educational Innovation. The opening of One World Café last spring marked the end of Phase III.

“We are so pleased to see the positive response to these first major milestones in Heart of the Campus,” says Laura Hubbard, vice president for finance and administration. “The difference is remarkable. There is a feeling of excitement at the progress UB has made toward building these community spaces.”

The next three phases are still in development, but as of now include:

• A new academic support center in Talbert. The former Bert’s café on the ground floor of Talbert, as well the classrooms on the first floor above Bert’s, will be renovated into a center for advising, tutoring and academic support services. It also will include space for career services.

Also, a first-floor addition will be built between Talbert and Capen, providing a connection all the way from the Natural Sciences Complex to Knox Hall.

• A new home for the offices of Admissions and Financial Aid. Currently used for Advising, International Admissions, the Department of Engineering Education, and Tutoring and Academic Support Services, this first-floor space on the south end of Capen will be renovated for admissions — including international admissions — and financial aid.
• More classrooms and renovations to Silverman. The remainder of the work includes new classrooms on the second floor of Capen, where career services currently resides, and on the second floor of Talbert, where there are administrative offices for admissions. The project includes second-floor renovations to Silverman Library.

“We are also very excited that a new entrance will be built to the library from the second floor,” Hayes McAlonie says. “This will allow students to easily move from One World Café to Silverman without taking an elevator.”

While the Heart of the Campus originally was planned as one large project totaling an estimated $176 million, a cap on state funding forced the work to be done in several phases, starting in 2015, with completion anticipated around 2030.

The next phase is currently being planned, so construction should begin by 2025, Hayes McAlonie says.

“The good thing is that as we develop the architectural projects, we are changing our operational plans as well,” Hayes McAlonie says. “So, we are taking the time to think about the project and the services that we provide holistically.”