Post Date:
Tuesday, February 23, 2016 - 9:21pm
Dear Campus Colleagues:
As our campus landscape continues to change and improve, I would like to address questions relative to Case Hall and Case Annex, our plans for these structures, and their proposed timeline. I hope the following information is helpful, and I encourage you to contact me with any additional questions or concerns.
Within the next few weeks, we will be finalizing our campus master plan with HEWV – the architectural firm hired to help with the process. Once these plans are completed, we will utilize the campus master plan as a guide over the coming years and implement suggested plans as we can. Among the recommendations from HEWV are new traffic patterns throughout campus, additional parking, and a much more pedestrian-friendly environment across EKU. Again, we will undertake those projects which are doable and affordable in the coming months and years.
As it relates to Case and Case Annex, our intention is to vacate both structures at the conclusion of this Spring Semester. Students will relocate into other residence halls. Appropriate spaces for faculty and staff have been identified within McCreary and Mattox Halls and in the basement of the University Building. Over the next few weeks, we will prepare these spaces in time for EKU employees to move in and make them their own during the summer months before Fall semester 2016 begins. As you can appreciate, there are countless moving parts with many impacted individuals and timing will be critical. We ask for your patience and cooperation as we move forward with efforts to make EKU a better place for everyone.
Once Case and Case Annex are vacated, they will be razed. The site will then be prepped for a new dining facility to be constructed by our food vendor. As plans finalize, we will release the images and plans of this facility – sure to be one of the finest in Kentucky – which will provide our campus with exceptional services and food options. The finished product will breathe new life into the center of campus. We will continue to utilize the Powell Building for food service but once our new dining facility is completed during the Fall Semester 2017, Powell will be vacated so that its renovation can commence.
Despite the challenges we are facing with our proposed state budget, it is an exciting time to be at EKU. I thank you for your continued service and commitment.
Yours sincerely,
Michael T. Benson
President