It may not look like much now, but this is the future Pollock Road entrance
to the Hetzel Union Building on the University Park campus.
The entrance, along with other parts of the addition and renovation,
are on schedule to open in late August.
Photo: Greg Grieco
By Vicki Fong
Public Information
Construction on the HUB Robeson Center project will be moving into another phase this summer, with the goal of completing and opening the new addition by the beginning of fall semester 1999.
Scheduled for a late August opening are the new Paul Robeson Cultural Center, an atrium walkway titled Union Street, the second phase of the Union Street food services, additional seating, student organization offices, the Recreation Center, the Pollock Road entrance, the Information Desk, the entrance to the Penn State Bookstore and many other changes.
"It's very exciting to know that the new space will finally be available for students, employees and visitors this fall," said Stan Latta, director of unions and student activities. "However, the fall semester will bring renovation work into the existing part of the HUB, and our goal is to maintain services. Space will be even more limited for students and departments as construction starts on the second and third floor of the existing HUB. It will be a mix of the old and the new."
The second phase of the Union Street food services will bring three new concepts: Sbarro's Italian foods and Joegies Hoagies, named after football coach Joe Paterno, both located in the former Cellar eatery; and Panda Express, Pacific Rim foods, in the old Billiards Room. Also, Higher Grounds, a coffee shop, will be on the first floor, and the Bean Machine operation will move to the entrance of the new Robeson Cultural Center.
"This will complete the renovation and update of the HUB food services with the addition of two national chains, Sbarro's and Panda Express," said David Gingher, assistant director of food services. "These two brands are among the leaders at other college and university food services nationwide. Our national brands in the first phase, Casa Ortega and Chick-Fil-A, have proven to be very popular with customers. The main goal continues to be fresh, quality foods and convenience to students, staff, faculty and visitors."
The Cellar food service, on the west side ground floor, has already closed for construction of the new food services. For intersession and summer session, different operations in the first phase will be open for breakfast and lunch.
Student organizations and University units planning activities for fall 1999 and spring 2000 should be aware that there will be extremely limited space available for fall and, until the project is completed, the spaces available for spring semester have not yet been determined. Organizations and groups should contact the Office of Events Management after arrival week of fall semester for current schedule information, (814) 865-7973.
When completed, the HUB-Robeson Center will house an expanded HUB and will be connected to a new Paul Robeson Cultural Center and the Penn State Bookstore. Throughout the entire project, the current HUB, the Robeson Cultural Center and the Penn State Bookstore have continued to stay open and offer regular services. The HUB Parking Deck also is open for visitors.
The project is financed with funds generated by a portion of University Park student activity fees, private support and University funds.