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 Citing outdated facilities and student feedback on social media, the university will replace the existing Kerr-Drummond dining complex with Central Marketplace, a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

  • Little Grand Market

    Designing for Belonging: Why Student Wellness Starts with Space

    From walkable site planning to flexible interiors, intentional design choices play a critical role in how students experience comfort, connection, and community.

  • El Paso District Breaks Ground on New Elementary School

    The Canutillo Independent School District in El Paso, Texas, recently announced that construction has begun on a 119,000-square-foot elementary school, according to a news release. The district partnered with Pfluger Architects, Carl Daniel Architects, and LDCM Solutions on the new Davenport Elementary School, which has an expected completion date of 2027.

  • Geometric abstract school illustration

    How Design Shapes Learning and Success

    Can the color of a wall, the curve of a chair, or the hum of fluorescent lights really affect how a student learns? More schools are beginning to think so.

  • University of Kentucky Receives $150M Gift Toward New Arts District

    The University of Kentucky’s Board of Trustees recently received a $150-million gift from The Bill Gatton Foundation, according to a university news release, to build a new arts district on the campus in Lexington, Ky. The new district will feature a new College of Fine Arts building and a multi-hundred-seat theater, among other amenities.