OSU to Start Construction on Central Market Place

Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Okla., recently announced that construction will soon begin on a new campus dining facility. Citing outdated facilities and student feedback on social media, the university will replace the existing Kerr-Drummond dining complex with Central Marketplace, a 31,000-square-foot facility with four dining options and a capacity for about 300 guests, according to a news release. The project will cost about $22 million.

“We get a lot of feedback about dining on social media, and we really listen to what the students are saying and try to put a lot of thought into these concepts based on feedback that we’ve received,” said Student Union Marketing assistant director Debbie Shotwell.

Dining options available in Central Market Place will include:

  • Byte: A restaurant with a “ghost kitchen” concept that will serve a diverse, rotating menu. Guests will place their orders via kiosk or mobile app, and the meal will be prepped behind closed doors and delivered through a wall of lockers.
  • Caribou Coffee: The franchise will serve traditional and specialty coffee drinks, as well as bakery items.
  • 405 Deli: The sandwich shop will move from the existing Kerr-Drummond dining complex into the new dining facility to serve salads and gourmet sandwiches.
  • 1890 Market: The market will serve as a rebranding of the university’s on-campus convenience store in Kerr-Drummond. It will provide items like groceries, snacks, necessities, and grab-and-go items, according to the university news release.

Central Market Place has an estimated completion date of fall 2024. After construction is finished, the university plans to demolish Kerr-Drummond to make room for student parking.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Surging Demand for Student Housing Fuels Major Campus Investment Opportunities

    University leaders throughout the U.S. are accelerating plans to modernize and expand student housing as enrollment stabilizes and demand for on-campus living rebounds. Recent data from the National Center for Education Statistics indicates that total postsecondary enrollment is projected to grow through the end of the decade, with undergraduate enrollment alone expected to increase by more than 8 percent by 2030.

  • Academy of Classical Education Breaks Ground in Louisiana

    Charter Schools USA (CSUSA) recently announced the groundbreaking of a new public charter school in Covington, La., according to a news release. The Academy of Classical Education at Covington will enroll students in grades K–8 and is scheduled for completion in August 2026, just in time for the new school year.

  • Hawaii Elementary School Breaks Ground on New Classroom Building

    Kealakehe Elementary School in Kailua, Hawaii, recently began construction on a new, $16-million classroom building for its campus, according to a news release. The 13,000-square-foot building will stand two stories and connect the existing upper and lower campuses.

  • California K–12 District Finishes Renovations on Multi-Sport Stadium

    The Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) in Alameda, Calif., recently announced the completion of a renovation project on the Encinal Jr. & Sr. High School stadium, according to a news release. The district partnered with Quattrocchi Kwok Architects (QKA) and Bothman Construction on the facility, and funding came from Bond Measure B.