by Frank Imhoff, ELCA News Service
Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Ind., has begun construction
of a new Union building on the site of the former Moellering
Library. The university's Web site includes a Union project Web
page with a webcam of the construction site, video of the news
conference announcing the project and more information.
A Valparaiso University news release said, "Total cost of the
project is approximately $74 million, which includes construction
of the 202,000 square-foot, two-story building in addition to
expenditures for furnishings, kitchen equipment, development of
supporting campus infrastructure, site preparation, professional
fees and an endowment fund to support building operations. The
new facility will more than triple the usable space available in
the current Union, which opened in 1955." The new building will
include a cafe, a main dining room, a multipurpose banquet hall,
the Book Center, a mailbox for each student living on campus, an
office suite for the Career Center, office space for Union and
Dining Services, and program space for the Office of
International Studies, Office of Multicultural Programs, student
government and other student organizations. A second floor
outdoor terrace will face south toward the Chapel of the
Resurrection and the Christopher Center for Library and
Information Resources. The project is expected to take nearly
two years.
The design and appearance of the new building will be in keeping
with the standards set by other recent construction, said Dr.
Alan Harre, president, Valparaiso University. "Construction of
the Center for the Arts (which opened in 1995) set a new standard
for the quality of campus facilities," he said. "We raised the
bar with the construction of the Christopher Center (2004), and
we're raising it again with the new Union." Harre said, "I am
confident that the new building will greatly enhance the sense of
community on campus, partly because of its location in a high
traffic area but primarily because of the attention the
architects have given to creating a warm, welcoming feeling with
plenty of gathering spaces." He added that plans for the current
Union building will be developed as the new facility nears
completion.
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
