In order to improve upon the quality of student life for the Downtown campus, construction began on a new 5,000 square foot student activity center in the Arizona Center, 455 N. Third St.
The new student center, scheduled to open mid-March, will bring a much-needed gathering place for students, said Kevin Cook, vice provost dean of student affairs.
Although students can gather in the University Center, the student center will have pool tables, music, three big-screen televisions and have offices for student clubs, Cook said.
Nursing freshman Zack Bremer said the student space is needed.
"I think they desperately need it because there is not much for the students to do [at the Downtown campus]," Bremer said.
Having a place for students to hang out could be a vast improvement, he added.
Rene Sanchez, social work senior, said, "It can be a place for students to walk to and hang out rather than sit in their rooms and watch TV."
The student center will be located on the second floor above the AMC theater on the northwest corner of the Arizona Center - one block from the Residential Commons and two blocks from the University Center.
There are about 4,000 square feet for student organization offices and student space and about 1,000 square feet for a banking area with tellers, said Tony Martinez, a contractor for D.K. Realtec, a company working on the facility.
The MU on the Tempe Campus also has restaurants and services for students; the hope is the Arizona Center itself will serve as an MU for students, Cook said.
Karl Huizenga, district manager of Sportsfan - a sporting goods store located in the Arizona Center - said he looks forward to the new student center.
"I think it's fantastic," Huizenga said. "It will bring more people down to the Arizona Center."
Currently, there are about 134 students living in the Residential Commons, which is 20 less than the previous semester, said Laura Ellis, Residential Commons coordinator.
Students should recognize the Downtown campus is different than Tempe, Ellis said. It's a smaller community with an urban environment.
"If that appeals to you, you should be downtown," he added.
The student center is available to all ASU students, not just those who live on the Downtown campus, said Christina Hernandez, ASU coordinator for new student programs and traditions.
Nursing freshman Tara Reynolds commutes to the Downtown campus for her classes from Peoria.
"I think it's kind of neat," Reynolds said of the student center. "But, I don't know if I'd use it or not."
Reynolds said she likes the Downtown campus, but only spends time there to attend classes.
Nursing freshman Lauren Harley said the center may be great for the weekends.
Reach the reporter at: jeffrey.mitchell@asu.edu.
