Adam RollinsSt. Paul College in Minnesota is accepting design proposals for a $30.4 million campus renovation project to repurpose a theater, demolish a building and reconfigure student learning spaces.
The Academic Excellence Renovation project was among Gov. Tim Walz’s 2024 capital budget recommendations. Once complete, it will make student services more accessible, provide flexible classroom and office space, improve learning environments and relocate non-student facing services. The college will begin accepting applications for a construction manager-at-risk in August 2024. Construction is expected to begin summer 2026.
The college will renovate 116,500 square feet of existing classroom and laboratory spaces in the campus’ East Tower, West Tower and first floor. Plans include developing additional learning spaces for study, peer-to-peer tutoring and a community room. The college will displace outdated computer labs on levels two, three and four of the campus to make room for learning community and collaboration spaces.
The project’s scope includes demolishing the 13,000-square-foot College Learning Center (CLC). The college will convert the area into greenspace. In addition, the college will repurpose the existing unused theater into a two-story natural light infused court.
The repurposed theater will consolidate student support services on the campus’ first floor and provide additional instructional space. Students will be able to easily access tutoring, mental health, counseling, financial aid and disability services through the hub. The college will relocate non-student facing services to other locations.
The college will renovate the campus’ hallways, restrooms, stairs and food service kitchen. Plans include replacing ceilings, lighting and flooring. The college will also address outstanding fire code issues and integrate other finish and technology enhancements campuswide. The project is expected to eliminate $7.2 million in deferred maintenance costs.
