Construction delays push back opening of new dining facility
South Village Crossing, the University’s new dining/gathering facility, will open in mid-October due to construction delays.
“South Village Crossing will be different from anything we’ve ever had at UNC Charlotte,” said Keith Wassum, associate vice chancellor for business services in the Division for Business Affairs. “The combination of state-of-the-art kitchen equipment and building systems, green building features and site considerations, added a significant level of complexity to the project.”
When ready, South Village Crossing, a two-story, 56,146-square-foot facility, will feature:
- An expansive dining hall where all food production is visible and meals are customizable
- Action cooking stations featuring Evo and Teppanyaki griddles and gas-fired hearth ovens
- Observable campus bakery operations
- A take-out counter and market
- Late night diner (“The Den” by Denny’s);
- Seasonal dining porch and outdoor terraces
- Inviting lounge areas with fireplaces
- A large multipurpose room with instructional AV technology
“South Village Crossing will deliver a new concept in campus dining with all food production occurring in front of customers,” Wassum stated. “While the delay is unfortunate, it will provide us time to ensure the facility measures up to our expectations, and staff members will have time to be trained on the new equipment and systems.”
Until South Village Crossing opens, the Residence Dining Hall will resume operations, adding a few more weeks to its four decades of service to campus.
“A certain amount of delay is to be expected in a building this complex,” said Drew Averitt, business services facility planner. “But believe me, it will be worth the wait.”
Originally, South Village Crossing was scheduled to open at the start of the fall 2014 semester.