The SLC has been under construction since May, with plans for a finished exterior by the end of September.
Photo by Alisha Durosier | The Crow’s Nest.
By Aubrey Carr
Renovations on the University of South Florida St. Petersburg’s Student Life Center (SLC) are continuing through the fall semester.
After construction on the outside of the building shut down the front entrance for several months, the walkup reopened last week for easier access. Although the entrance is cleared, surrounding areas remain barricaded.
Initially planned to open on Sept. 12, August’s Hurricane Idalia set the entrance’s move back a week, ultimately delaying the project as a whole.
According to a Sept. 15 report by St. Petersburg’s facilities services, exterior renovations are set to be completed on Sept. 30, though this status is at risk.
In the four months since the project began, the SLC was painted, concrete walkways laid and electrical feeds installed for lights in the trees and a Wi-Fi bollard.
The finished project is stated to include a decorative LED backlit metal facade screen, new signage and updated landscaping, according to a press release. Replacement of site and building-mounted light fixtures, and maintenance of the retention ponds are also planned.
As of now, these upgrades are still underway, making the Sept. 30 deadline unlikely to be met.
Following the completed renovation, the SLC will be officially renamed “The Judy Genshaft Student Life Center,” after the former USF president –– a decision that resulted in controversy.
In contrast to approval from many current USF stakeholders, retired faculty and staff voiced concern about the change.
USF St. Petersburg’s Retired Faculty and Staff Association penned a letter to USF’s Board of Trustees (BOT) ahead of the name change decision. In the letter, the association asked for wider community input.
Despite the debate, USF Foundation CEO Jay Stroman pitched the idea in June of last year. The new name was met with unanimous approval from the BOT.
An official reopening and renaming ceremony for the SLC has yet to be announced.
