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Union plans call for unique looks

BEN CLASSON/Herald photo

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Also by Becky Vevea:

Idol comes to campus, without Simon (March 27, 2008)
Union hosts forum on worker worries (March 11, 2008)
Group urges tenant awareness (February 29, 2008)
Comedians compete for 'smiles' at Madison Avenue (February 27, 2008)
Republicans watch as leader surges ahead of pack (February 20, 2008)

by Becky Vevea

Friday, March 28, 2008

The Wisconsin Union Directorate unveiled three different building plans for the new Union South project Thursday night.

“The clock is ticking,” said Dan Cornelius, student involvement coordinator. “We’ve got just over a month until the design concept of [the Union South] building is going to be done.”

Architects developed three different designs, “Boomerang,” “Terrace” and “Esplanade” for WUD to review and give feedback on different aspects of the building.

All three plans plan on eliminating a small stretch of Johnson Street and occupying the triangular block formerly occupied by Bob’s Copy Shop.

“We’re really focusing right now on the orientation of the building on the property,” Wisconsin Union President John Barnhardt said.

All three plans include approximately 270 belowground parking spaces, which will be funded by UW department of transportation services, and leave space for two potential light rail tracks along Campus Drive, as requested by the city.

According to Barnhardt, the design committee decided not to have a green space located on the north side of the building along Campus Drive, but rather along Dayton Street between the building and Wendt library.

Chairs of the various WUD committees voiced their opinions on aspects of the building, such as the hotel, pub, theater and space for programming music venues.

“There are fixed things about this whole project, and one is the timeline and the other is the dollars we can spend on it,” said Susan Dibbell, social education program advisor.

While awaiting the results of the student survey, WUD discussed the space allocated to each of the 14 committees making up WUD. One of the most uncertain spaces is the climbing wall for Hoofers.

“It’s been a little frustrating on our end seeing it go from a high priority to a low priority to being off the sheet because now we really feel like we’re fighting to get it back in the project,” said Tristan Sather, Hoofers president.

While all three designs are similar, there were small differences that met disapproval, including a hotel tower in the Boomerang design that members agreed should be shortened and spread out.

“One critique of [the Terrace design] is it’s a lot closer to Wendt,” Barnhardt said. “It would be more difficult to program in between Wendt and the building.”

Quoctrung Bui, music director, said holding musical performances in the planned green space could disturb students studying in Wendt library.

Barnhardt explained Esplanade has a smoother shape but pointed out the entrance on the corner of Campus Drive and Randall Avenue, a major entrance, is not very welcoming.

Sather added people should keep in mind the faults of the old building when planning for the new one, to fix the problems rather than repeat them.

“There are certain things that come out in these designs elements that have me a little bit concerned,” Sather said. “For example, in the [Esplanade] design we have an atrium that’s right in the middle and it’s triangle-shaped.”

WUD also announced Thursday the unions will be open 24 hours during final exams this spring to provide study space before construction takes over with the arrival of Peet’s Coffee Shop and a new Union South.

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Anonymous (March 28, 2008 @ 11:00am):

Too bad most students don't want to pay for this. The multiple online votes proved this. ASM disenfranchised most students by going to a paper ballot in order to get the answer they wanted.

Anonymous (March 28, 2008 @ 12:09pm):

So... we've already forked over money, and you don't even know yet what you're building?

Anonymous (March 28, 2008 @ 4:35pm):

Man am I glad I graduated just in time not to have to pay for that monstrosity in the making. I'd be willing to place money that says the new Union South won't be any better than the present concrete fortress.

Anonymous (March 28, 2008 @ 4:36pm):

Anonymous (March 30, 2008 @ 12:46pm):

Can we let the adults handle this? Thanks.

Anonymous (March 30, 2008 @ 11:24pm):

Finally they are tearing down the old shithole known as the Union South. It has no character like the Memorial Union, and the common areas are far too small.

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