Penland Hall, Memorial Dining Hall to be renovated

In February, Baylor University's Board of Regents authorized $31 million to refurbish Penland Hall, renovate Memorial Dining Hall and expand the Baylor Energy Complex and Electrical Substation.

Opened in 1960, the 96,100-square-foot Penland Hall will be the third among 10 Baylor residence halls to be restored over an eight-year period. South Russell Hall's refurbishment was completed in summer 2014, while work on North Russell Hall will be completed this summer. When these three projects are completed, the University will have invested $44 million in a program that is expected to provide $140 million in renovations and enhancements to Baylor's residential facilities.

The $19-million Penland refurbishment will include updated rooms with new furniture and fixtures; new study, social and spiritual spaces; apartments for faculty-in-residence and a resident chaplain; and new mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. Construction will begin in May and is scheduled to be completed by summer 2016.

The board also approved $4.6 million to complete renovations to Memorial Dining Hall and $7.2 million to upgrade the Baylor Energy Complex and Electrical Substation.

Renovations to Memorial will include expanding the dining hall to 22,000 square feet and seating for 600 students, adding more food platforms and finishing upgrades. Construction will begin in May and is expected to be finished in time for the fall semester.

Expansion and upgrades to the Baylor Energy Complex and Electrical Substation will begin this spring and will be online in the fall. The upgrades will supply upcoming campus electrical loads and provide additional electrical capacity for the future.