UW-Eau Claire University Center Steering Meeting
June 16, 2009
S202
8:00 a.m. – noon
Tim Lauer, Charles Farrell, Rick Gonzales, Jeff Kosloske, Christian Wise, Mark Thorton, Paula Ristow, Terri
Knudtson, Joseph Piconatto, Candy Wilson, Kevin Everard, Angie Bong, Susan Harrison, Terry Classen, Mike
Umhoefer, Beth Hellwig, Tim Luttrell, Ashraf Sadek, Arthur San Filippio, Shawn Plum, Derek Brehm, Malinda
Hebert
1. Dr. Hellwig reviewed the agenda.
2. Bray/Burt Hill brought layouts of floor plans and explained what the plans were. They walked us
through the building using the drawings. The main entrance, Blugold office area and the dining area
have been revised. The lounge and restroom by the entrance were switched. Charles had asked for
vending area in lounge area by main entrance and room for two ATM machines. Having vending
machines by the main entrance where bus users will be was thought to be advantageous.
3. Provides different kinds of seating in eating area will break up the space. Bray/Burt Hill showed a large
fireplace in eating area with built in banquettes to further break up the space. Examples of possible
materials to use in resin panels to break up space were shown. A portion of space by the windows
would be 18 inches lower than rest of area. There would be soft seating by the hearth. There are
approximately 526 seats in the dining space. This doesn’t include the adjacent lounge or coffee shop.
The 18 inch elevation could be a problem as far as flexibility. The committee discussed a mix on heights
of chairs. The current Davies Center has 600 seats in the dining area. Bray/Burt Hill are working on a
design to make the fireplace as open as possible. It is not centered in the whole space, but rather
centered on the two story space and window. There are areas open to the second floor in the eating
area by the hall.
4. Natural stone for the floor was suggested as an option for the floor, but Bray/Burt Hill felt this was
pricey. Tile may not be durable. Carpeting would keep the noise down. Bamboo was also mentioned.
Epoxy terrazzo was suggested for the walkways.
5. The coffee shop can be open even when the servery is closed. The C-store would have two doors. Cstore and coffee shop cut off the openness of the servery. There is a structure column by the checkout
which is an issue. It was suggested to move it somewhere else. The space in the coffee shop should be
half high walls with chairs pushed up to wall. This allows students to use their computers while sitting
there. Layout of coffee shop and use of tables were discussed. Will there be a cooler in the coffee shop
for grab and go? This would work well when the servery is closed. Cut down on seating in the coffee
shop.
6. The committee discussed the printing area in the Blugold office. It will be used for very limited service.
There will be two copy machines.
7. Bray/Burt Hill said the blueprints will be available all summer with changes being made throughout that
time.
8. Charles felt there needs to be space for communication racks.
9. Where are the wiring closets located? The architects have not shown space for them yet.
10. The area around the Dulany Room was reconfigured to expand the restroom area. There is also a
secondary entrance in front of the Dulany Room. Concern was expressed on the possible tight corner
from the second entrance to the Dulany Room.
11. Pocket lounges were added by the restrooms. The number of water closets increased. Restroom door
should swing out so after washing hands individuals don’t have to touch door.
12. There is room for tables at each entry spot. Concerns were raised on space for portable signage.
13. Barnes and Noble sent layout of the bookstore to Charles. Copies were distributed. Office space and a
dressing room need to be added to the first floor. An afterhour’s depository for textbooks should be
incorporated into the design. The two biggest issues were the elevator and security. The elevator will
only serve the bookstore. This should solve the issue of disabled students and security. Column layout
throughout the bookstore needs to be determined. Bray/Burt Hill are working on this.
14. Use of the retail space needs to defined. David Porter mentioned having a touch screen to order food
and beverages from the main servery. Concerns were raised about control over alcoholic beverages.
The push will be to turn The Cabin into a more money making venture. Another option would be to
have a smaller bar with the touch screen for the food.
15. Bray/Burt Hill removed the spiral staircase in The Cabin. Concerns about tightness and narrowness had
been raised and it was thought it could be a big liability to the University. It would have been very tall
and taken up quite a bit of space. The new plan requires walking outside of The Cabin and entering the
second floor from a second floor entrance. Again the control issue pertaining to alcohol was raised.
Bray/Burt Hill will look into this design further.
16. The fixed stage is not being considered as an option. If permanent, handicapped ramp would be
required.
17. Lighting we currently have would move to the new Cabin. A storage/dressing room space in back of The
Cabin underneath the stairs was added. The window towards the loading dock will be opaque. The area
behind the fireplace will be for storage.
18. Bray/Burt Hill needs further definition on the back of house area. Is there room for secured storage?
The loading dock slopes down about three feet. It was requested this be shown on future prints. A big
set of double doors is needed somewhere in the area. There shouldn’t be issues with having the three
feet slope in regards to the floodplain. Bray/Burt Hill are looking at ventilation issues and solutions.
19. Concerns were voiced on not seeing more mechanical layouts.
20. The committee questioned whether it makes sense to have grease storage in the dry storage area.
Bray/Burt Hill will discuss with DSF at their meeting on Thursday.
21. The university needs to come up with requirements for loading dock, i.e. recycling, cardboard,
composting, etc.
22. Is there enough back of house storage room in bookstore for collapsible shelving? Barnes and Nobel
feels there is.
23. Bray/Burt Hill needs to look at collapsible shelving vs. traditional shelving and weight issues for the
bookstore floor.
24. Charles will provide banking security requirements to Bray/Burt Hill.
25. Discussion on whether to invite staff from University Centers to second floor meeting. It was agreed to
send the information and solicit comments before the meeting.
26. Tim Luttrell would like to challenge Bray/Burt Hill on the width of the main corridor. The stairways
should be flipped.
27. Beth Hellwig requested that Bray/Burt Hill give the University three different choices on finishes, colors
and fixtures.
28. The School of Nursing is quite upset over where the loading dock is located. Beth informed Bray/Burt
Hill of their concerns. The committee needs to see a site plan to determine exactly where the new
building is in regards to the Nursing Building. Their building will be impacted during construction. The
need of the greater whole is being met and Dr. Hellwig will talk to Mike Rindo to inform the Chancellor
of these issues.
29. It was suggested to make a rule that trucks will not be able to run while in the loading area of the new
building.
30. Interior finishes and concepts – Shawn is looking for overall concepts from the Committee. At next
Steering Committee, bring pictures of what the committee likes. Shawn also needs to go over to the
Davies Center and look at what is going from the current building. Charles will forward to Bray/Burt Hill
a list of what is going to be transferred to the new building. The cost analysis contained $2.508M for
fixtures.
31. Tim and Michael gave their ideas on what the students feel the union should look like. Susan Harrison
has a disk that shows what the students liked for the interior. The overall theme to this point has been
classical not trendy; warmth not institutional. There should be permanent items with temporary items.
Examples, it is easy to change paint and furniture but long term items such as lighting, flooring, stairs,
and window treatments are more expensive and should last longer.
32. Susan Harrison went through the Pre-Planning document page by page. She will send her comments to
Beth. Beth will combine Susan and Rick’s comments and send to Tim and Jeff.
33. Meeting dates for the fall will be finalized at the next Steering Committee meeting. Everyone would
prefer Thursdays from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. One in September and then every other week in October.
34. The food service people will be meeting today via conference call. Do not know the venues of food
service at this time which is a problem.
35. Change one loading dock to facilitate a small van.
36. Bray/Burt Hill will verify agenda for next meeting.
37. Meetings are in progress with different local officials. Ash will provide a list of meetings to Beth.
38. Parking permits are currently being sold. This is an issue if the parking will run out in May. Nursing will
also have an issue with this. Another route needs to be made on Garfield Avenue. Will need to use
project money to complete this route.
39. When comments are received, do not distribute to everyone, Beth will talk to Ash and then they will
discuss what to issue to others.
40. Meeting adjourned.