Plans for Women's Center, coffee house face major delays

Two Locust Walk diversification projects are facing major delays, several sources said last month. Neither the establishment of a coffee shop adjacent to The Book Store, nor the Women's Center move to the former Theta Xi fraternity house is expected to be completed until at least a year from now. Vice Provost for University Life Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum said that the Women's Center will probably not be completely moved until a year from now. When the move was first announced in February, plans called for the Center to move in by the end of this year. Reasons for the delay seem to vary. Vice President for Facilities and Management Art Gravina said that while programming for the new Women's Center has been determined, no real cost estimate for the renovations has been made yet. That's because the renovations needed for the former fraternity house, located at 3643 Locust Walk, are "so much more substantial than anyone anticipated," Associate Vice Provost for University Life Larry Moneta said. Moneta added that last winter's harsh weather caused further damage to the house. But Gravina would not comment on the condition of the house, saying that his office had not even "gotten the go-ahead to start the project" yet. He did say, however, that both projects are being slowed because they are being reviewed -- again. "We want to bring all these projects back on the table again and discuss them with the new president and provost," he said. "With all of the transition it's appropriate to step back and re-look at what we're doing." The house will also contain a study lounge and student meeting rooms, McCoullum announced at the beginning of the summer. And with all the other projects President Judith Rodin and Provost Stanley Chodorow are being bombarded with during their first month in office, they haven't had time for much more than briefings. Chodorow said he had been briefed on both projects, and felt the plans for the Women's Center were "connected to both money and ultimately what goes on in the Revlon Center." The final plans for the Revlon Center have not been developed yet. As for the coffee shop -- originally recommended by the Commission on Strengthening the Community -- Vice President of Business Services Steven Murray said a decision will be made by next month on whether to continue with the proposed project at all. But he said he is confident that after the final plans and costs are reviewed, the project will still be approved. "I think it's a great idea and I think we can make it work financially," he said. "What we are actually trying to accomplish is a Borders-type feel to The Book Store." Murray added that the coffee shop, if approved, could be up and running by next spring since construction will take only about two months. Women's Center Director Elena Dilapi was unavailable for comment.