Jefferson Way construction update: New cultural center, College of Business buildings January 4th, 2013
Over Winter Break, one of the first visible phases of a new campus construction project along Jefferson Way occurred with the removal of a row of trees along the north side of Jefferson Way between Fairbanks Hall and Sackett Hall (across from Hawley-Buxton).
The trees were removed to make way for construction of several new campus buildings, including the new hall for the College of Business named Austin Hall, and a new Asian & Pacific Cultural Center. Over the next two years, this area will be abuzz with activity to construct these two new campus centers and parking in the area will be limited at times.
Austin Hall
In the fall of 2014, the newest building on campus will be a home for Oregon’s future business leaders and embody the authentic character of Oregon State that inspires students and faculty. Located on Jefferson Way near the Women’s Building and across the street from Weatherford, the new home for the College of Business will be the anchor of a developing quad on campus.
Austin Hall, named to reflect the $10 million commitment from alumni Ken and Joan Austin, will be an expansive 100,000 square feet that will include ten classrooms, a 250-seat auditorium, collaborative team rooms, more than 70 faculty offices, staff and program offices, a café and event space. Ground-breaking for the estimated $50 million project is scheduled for Spring 2013.
Artistic renderings: Austin Hall.
Asian & Pacific Cultural Center
In 2002, Oregon State University made a commitment to cultural centers on campus to honor diversity and enrichment of student life. At present, the APCC is inadequately housed in a small house on the corner of Northwest Jackson Avenue and Arnold Way, at the far northern edge of campus. The students of the APCC needed a larger facility able to accommodate all of their needs and activities, including areas for quiet study, dance performances, and community feasts. A location closer to the campus core was requested that better supports the APCC’s goal of educating the greater OSU community about the Asian and Pacific Islander cultures.
The new APCC will provide a learning and gathering place for Asian, Pacific Islander, Indian, and Middle Eastern students to celebrate and share their cultures and heritage. It will serve as a supportive and welcoming educational environment where knowledge and traditions can be shared among each other and with the greater OSU community. The proposed Asian & Pacific Cultural Center (APCC) will be constructed on the north side of Jefferson Way within the OSU National Historic District. Presently, this location is the southeast corner of the Women’s Building Field, a recreation field. The center is still in the design phase and a groundbreaking and completion date have not been set.
Artistic rendering: Asian Pacific Cultural Center.
Learn more about these projects at the following links: