The next major milestone in the completion of the HUB-Robeson Center project was reached today (Feb. 16) with the reopening of the Penn State Bookstore.
The store has seen not only a renovation, but a significant expansion. The main floor boasts a new technology center, an enlarged gift and card section, as well as increased floor space for the clothing and gift departments. The school and art supply department also gained extra space to offer a wider variety of materials and the textbook department now provides a very open and easy shopping experience.
The addition of a mezzanine level provides ample space for general reading books, while also being home to a new café.
“We thank the campus community for their incredible patience with us while we were in our temporary facility that past two years,” said Steve Falke, regional director, Penn State Bookstores. “The new bookstore and the new addition to the HUB-Robeson Center will make the wait worth it.”
The grand opening of the large atrium and new connecting staircase is scheduled for early March. At the same time the removal of the temporary trailers on the HUB lawn will commence.
The entirety of the HUB project is schedule to be completed by May with the HUB Lawn being restored in time for the fall semester.
Until the atrium opening, students accessing the Penn State Bookstore, the Penn State Federal Credit Union, PNC Bank and id+ via the South entrance will have to use an elevator to access the rest of the HUB.
The HUB expansion project includes more than 106,000 square feet of improvements – encompassing about 54,800 square feet of new space and 52,000 square feet of renovated space, all of which results from a recommendation issued by the student-led Facilities Fee Committee at University Park. The project will enhance opportunities for the nearly 1,000 student organizations on campus, while providing accessibility to the building from the East and HUB Lawn sides.