Student union to undergo 'face-lift' this summer

Charles C. Labenz Arizona Summer Wildcat Ashley K. Barnett, senior (left) chats with nutritional sciences graduate student Janis Eklund yesterday afternoon in the Fiddlee Fig. The area between the restaurants is being renovated throughout the summer.

The Union is typically renovated each summer after the majority of students are gone. This summer's remodeling will focus on enhancing operations and appearance and will not involve any major structural changes, said Mike Low, assistant director of the St udent Union.

One major change will address the flow of traffic between the Fiddlee Fig and Cafe Sonora. The width of the doorways between the two restaurants will be doubled, Low said.

In addition, Taco Bell Express, pending Taco Bell's corporate approval, will move from its area in Cafe Sonora to the serving area by the "A" Place. Taco Bell Express has been very successful near Cafe Sonora, but traffic and long lines have been a proble m, said dining services director David Galbraith.

With its move near the "A" Place, it will double the amount of counter serving space it has and it will allow Cafe Sonora to return to two service lines to double its serving capacity, he said.

Cafe Sonora and Taco Bell Express are expected to be reopened in late July.

After those restaurants are remodeled, Dining Services will shut down the Fiddlee Fig during second summer session for renovation and will reopen the cafeteria Aug. 15.

Most of the Fiddlee Fig will be combined with Cafe Sonora and an outdoor barbecue area. The barbecue area will be outside the Student Union, under a tent with misters in order to keep the area cool, Galbraith said.

Other plans for the Fiddlee Fig include a new walk-in cooler and an expanded salad bar area, Galbraith said. The remodeling will result in a loss of 12 dining seats in the Fiddlee Fig, he said.

Changes to the Sidewalk Deli will include a remodeling and a new name. The Deli will be dedicated to the softball team in the fall and will feature softball photographs and memorabilia.

The Union also plans to feature Starbuck's coffee in the Union Square Cafe and at other places throughout the Union, Low said. He said Student Union administrators decided to diversify their coffee purchases to increase profits and to give customers a wid er variety of products.

"Starbuck's is a quality product with a lot of name recognition," Low said.

The Union will continue to purchase coffee from local companies as well, he added.

Carol Flaherty, a cashier at the Fiddlee Fig for three years, said the renovations are an inconvenience because they limit students' dining choices, but she has not heard of any complaints from students concerning the construction or renovations.

Daniel Funk, a post-doctoral fellow in ecology and evolution, said he usually comes to the Union three to four times per week, splitting his time between the Fiddlee Fig and Cafe Sonora.

"I'm disappointed because of less choices, but it will be nice to see the Union get a little more efficient," Funk said.

Galbraith said the renovations are necessary to uphold the image and convenience the Union tries to provide.

He said the renovations were planned with a new or renovated Student Union in mind.

University administrators are discussing a new Union building, but have not reached a decision yet. In February, the Union hired a private firm to survey students on their feelings about a potential student fee for a new Union building. Once plans are agr eed upon, a new or renovated building must still wait final approval from the Arizona Board of Regents.

"Everything we are doing is undergoing some sort of litmus test for permanence," Low said.