According to representatives from Mackey Mitchell, the architecture firm heading the projects on the 40, concrete surewalls and steel frames have already been put up for the new Wohl Center and Umrath Residential Hall. This phase of the project will be completed during the next academic year.

Meanwhile, most facilities currently in the Wohl Center will play the construction version of musical chairs. The mailroom and the fitness center will have temporary locations in Umrath, while a temporary dining spot, similar to Center Court, will be in the new Wohl Center. Bear Mart will also be located there.

Along with the temporary eateries, the Wohl Center will feature a bakery similar to Panera and a grill with more traditional items like burgers and chicken tenders. Future plans include a market that will feature local and natural items, much like Whole Foods.

Although dining options will be limited next year, the University is looking into the possibility of using Ursa’s and the Danforth University Center (DUC) to extend their operating hours and meet demand.

Students have expressed the need to have 24-hour service available; the University said that they recognize this and are considering it.

“I think the 24-hour service is a great idea. Right now, we only have Bear’s Den at certain hours of the day, and if we’re on main campus, there’s very limited service,” freshman Jackie Patmore said.

The architectural style of the new Wohl and Umrath buildings will be in the same vein as Lien and Gregg residential halls, with student activity spaces, such as student businesses or University-run organizations like Cornerstone, on the ground floor, and student dormitories above.

In addition to that plan, new ideas for student activity spaces include an auditorium and a fun room similar to the one in the DUC. The walkway from the main campus to the South 40 will reach into the “heart” of the residential area—the Swamp—in order to further develop a social and comfortable atmosphere.

“The goal we were given by the administration for this project is really to create that wonderful, animated outdoor street—like a European street—a lively, vibrant street,” an architect for the project said.

But the atmosphere is not the only thing concerning students who are aware of the logistical concerns that accompany construction projects.

“I hope that the University also tries to focus more spatially. I think they underestimated the need for space in the DUC so I hope there will be adequate space in these new facilities,” Patmore said.

For students interested in learning more about the construction and development of the South 40, there will be a presentation hosted by the Senate with Mackey Mitchell architects and Dining Services administrators on Thursday, Jan. 22, in the DUC next to the fireplace.