MSU selects local consultant for dining hall work

The Missouri State University Board of Governors approved the selection of Butler, Rosenbury & Partners Inc. as consultant to redesign the school’s largest dining hall.

The Springfield firm will be paid $60,000 as consulting architect, with an additional $15,000 on the budget as a contingency, according to the Feb. 18 board agenda.

Ken McClure, MSU vice president for administrative and information services, said the approved contract essentially sets BR&P as architect of record and manager of a summer redesign of the dining hall inside the Blair-Shannon residence hall on the Springfield campus.

The facelift of the dining hall, which would begin immediately after the semester ends in mid-May, will include a redesign of its layout, opening up of perimeter walls, better lighting, and equipment changes such as a new dishwasher. A total budget for the project hasn’t been completed, McClure said, noting BR&P would assist in determining costs.

The project will be funded by MSU’s residence life refurbishing budget, according to the agenda.