YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Youngstown State University trustees voted to borrow up to $40 million through bonds to renovate Kilcawley Center.
The project to renovate the campus student center will be rebid this week after bids submitted for the project came in 21% higher than anticipated. The estimated contract cost had been about $43 million.
However, Rebecca Rose, a YSU spokeswoman, said the change won’t affect the construction schedule, which is set to kick off in May. The project is expected to be completed for the fall 2027 semester.
One of the resolutions trustees approved Tuesday said it is in YSU’s interest “to acquire, construct, equip, furnish, reconstruct, alter, enlarge, remodel, renovate, rehabilitate or improve certain University Facilities including but not limited to the student union building known as the Kilcawley Center (the ‘Project’) in a presently anticipated cost of approximately $56,000,000 …”
The Kilcawley: Centered on the Future campaign kicked off in November. The building was constructed in the 1960s, opening in 1965. Its last major renovation was in 1979. Of Ohio’s 14 state universities, YSU is the only one that doesn’t have a rebuilt or renovated student center, university officials have said.
The plan is to modernize the building, opening up spaces and allowing more natural light. A common food area will be added, replacing the eating establishments spread through the building. The renovated building will also feature a black-box theater for performances, improved connectivity to Andrews Student Recreation and Wellness Center and a Chestnut Room revamped for larger gatherings.
Construction will be phased, with offices and amenities moving within the building and to other parts of campus while the project is ongoing.
The Kilcawley: Centered on the Future Campaign has raised more than $20 million.