Student Center updates coming

The University of Detroit Mercy is in initial stages of renovations to the first floor and lower level of the Student Center.

University officials are mocking up early renderings and will soon begin fundraising for the renovations. Detroit Mercy will host a meeting today, Nov. 2, to talk about ideas and start the construction planning process.

Plans call for the Bookstore, Campus Ministry and Student Life offices to move to the lower level, while moving Admissions, Financial Aid and other student-related services from Fisher to the first floor.  Grounds Coffeehaus will remain on the lower level, as well as a small part of the lounge area.

There is no timetable for the start of the upgrades, and there’s no idea how much they’ll cost, since ideas are in the early stages. Detroit Mercy will use fundraised money, not tuition dollars, for the project, although it has not yet started the fundraising process.

University officials declined to comment further.

Along with the possibility of these larger renovations, construction is underway on improvements to the second floor that will add three new conferences rooms by June. It’s the second phase of renovations that included upgrades to the ballroom in 2014.