Frequently Asked Questions
Jump to:
- Riverbend Commons Questions
- Displacement During Renovation Questions
- Input Questions
- Financial Questions
- Why Renovate?
- Space Planning Questions
- Aesthetic Questions
- Decision Making Questions
- Schedule Questions
- Redesign Questions
- How Do I Find Out More About...
Riverbend Commons Questions
Q:
What is the Riverbend Commons project?
A:
The Regents of the University of Minnesota endorsed a plan to redevelop the area south of Washington Avenue known as the "Riverbend Commons." Included in the redevelopment is the new 1900-space East River Road ramp, apartment-style residence halls for approximately 400+ persons, the renovation of Coffman Memorial Union, as well as the creation of public green space, a connection from Coffman Memorial Union to the River Road, better transportation access to the Washington Avenue area and infrastructure improvements.
Input Questions
Q:
How much student participation has there been in the renovation process?
A:
Coffman Memorial Union is a building that is of the students, by the students and for the students. Conceived and authorized by students, it was their leadership and student fees that made it happen.
The process for visioning this innovative facility for the 21st century was intense and consultative, much like the process when Coffman was first constructed in the late 1930s. When planning began, students and staff visited their unions across the country that were recently or in the process of being renovated or built. Feedback was solicited from focus groups and public meetings. Besides the campus community and students in general, open forum sessions were held with cultural centers, student groups, current and prospective retail and university tenants. In addition, Coffman completed a comprehensive mail survey of current University of Minnesota students in fall 1998 to measure perceptions of Coffman and find out what the student union was missing. Results from the survey were used to help formulate the building program and layout. From 1998-99, more than 5000 students have been involved in some way providing input, and that number has surely risen to 6,000 or more since.
The Twin Cities Student Unions Board of Governors, comprised of 21 students and six non-student members representing various colleges and student groups, along with Coffman administration, worked hand-in-hand with the contractor, facilities management and the Office of Student Affairs to make decisions during the renovation.
Financial Questions
Q:
What is the estimated capital cost and funding for the renovation?
A:
The total estimated cost of the renovation is approximately $71 million, funded from these sources:
Original capital budget approved in 1999
- $37.5 million from student fees
- $7.5 million from Coffman's post-renovation revenues
Additional budget approved in 2001
- $12.5 million from tenants
- $13.5 million from Coffman Union reserves and the University
The Regents approved an increased budget in 2001 after the scope of the renovation was redesigned under the Design/Build method for construction projects. This was done due to all construction bids coming in over budget under the Design/Bid/Build construction method, which is traditional method used for University construction projects. The increased cost of the project was primarily due to the addition of nearly 40,000 square feet for the new central University Bookstore and upgrades to the Campus Club on the fourth floor. The student's portion, $37.5 million through an increase in student fees, was not affected by this change.
To ease the burden on students who did not have use of a union on the east bank during the time Coffman was closed, the 1999-2000 Student Services Fees Committee recommended a four-year "phased-in" approach to increasing student fees. This meant Coffman's fee allocation began increasing in Fall 1999 and now has leveled off for the remaining 17 years of the bond.
Q:
How much will student fees increase for the renovation capital dollars? How much is that per semester?
A:
To ease the burden on students who won't have use of a union on the east bank during the time Coffman is closed, the 1999-2000 Student Services Fee Committee recommended a four-year "phased-in" approach to increasing student fees. This means Coffman's fee allocation began increasing in Fall 1999 and will continue until 2003, at which point it will level off for the remaining 17 years of the bond.
In Summary, this recommendation increases Coffman's student service fee capital allocation by:
- $26 in 1999-2000 over what students paid in 1998-1999;
- $52 in 2000-2001 over what students paid in 1998-1999;
- $85 in 2001-2002 over what students paid in 1998-1999;
- $95.50 in 2002-20003 over what students paid in 1998-1999;
- $91 average in 2003-2021.
(The figures are estimates dependent on increases and decreases in student enrollment)
Q:
Do you receive legislative or central administration dollars?
A:
No. Legislative and central administration funds are only allocated to "academic" buildings. Coffman Union is considered to be an "ancillary" or "self-support" building and is expected to fund its own operations through student fee dollars and any revenue generated through various leases and services. When the project first began, the University committed $10.8 million to pay for the infrastructure costs (i.e., front plaza, back terrace, road construction, etc.) in an effort to minimize the amount of student fee dollars needed for the Coffman project.
Q:
What about fundraising or private donations?
A:
For the first time ever, Coffman Union will now seek private donations. The Twin Cities Student Unions has recently hired an Alumni Relations Director, whose job responsibilities will include friend raising and fund raising - generating support for the unions, identifying prospects, and cultivating and stewarding donors.
Q:
How are other student unions funded across the country?
A:
An analysis of peer student unions that are in the process of funding renovations shows that funding comes predominately from student fees. A typical model is 75% student fee funding, 25% other revenues. Most recent renovation projects have been funded through student fees for both student unions and recreation centers.
Q:
When Coffman was built (1940) and later renovated (1977) , how were those projects funded?
A:
Coffman Union's construction and past renovation have been funded primarily by student fees. A portion of the original 1940's construction was funded by a public works administration grant. The 1970's renovation was funded with a fee increase and a Housing and Urban Development subsidy.
Q:
How are other non-academic buildings' capital projects (renovations) financed?
A:
They are considered "ancillary" or self-support buildings just like Coffman, and fund their capital projects through revenue they generate (i.e., U. Bookstores) or through fundraising, like the Gateway project.
Why Renovate
Q:
Why did we need to renovate Coffman?
A:
To update and provide the types of services students of today and in the future need to support their college education. For example, in a fall 1998 survey, Coffman did not offer 7 of the top 10 services students wanted in a student union, such as more short term parking, a bookstore, air conditioning, computer lab, more quiet lounge space, food choices with national and local brands, and a first-run movie theatre, all of which will be provided by the newly renovated Coffman with the exception of the theatre hosting first-run movies, which is still being determined (the theatre will be able to host second-run films). In addition, Coffman’s aging building structures needed upgrading to achieve code and ADA compliance. Easier access to the building will be improved with the restoration of the original central entrance to Coffman on the first floor. We are confident that once reopened, Coffman will be the center of student life and activities on campus.
Q:
I don't ever use Coffman. How will I benefit from paying $90 more a year?
A:
Coffman provides services and programs outside of its walls - we run the convenience store and post office on West Bank, we provide programs, films and art exhibits in the Katherine Nash gallery and run a weekly film series on the West Bank called the "Bijou." We also provide several programs and concerts throughout campus at various venues such as Northrop, Dinkytown, etc. Spring Jam and Winterfest are two examples of programs that outreach to the entire University community. Also, by adding services that students want and we currently do not have, students are more likely to use Coffman. Especially for services such as the computer lab and satellite student services. Coffman will also have longer hours than other buildings on campus, thus being more attractive. We intend to double our daily building traffic from 10,000 to 20,000 users a day. We also plan on being open 7 days a week.
Q:
When was the last time we renovated?
A:
The 1970's. The purpose of that renovation was to maximize the amount of space available to students for lounging and student group office space. Enrollment increased to 42,000 students per day versus 14,000 students per day when the building was originally built.
Q:
How many students did Coffman serve pre-renovation and what are post-renovation estimates?
A:
Before the renovation, Coffman served 10,000 students a day. A renovated facility with the proposed services will double this building traffic.
Space Planning Questions
Q:
What kind of food, services or lounge space are in the new facility?
A:
University Dining Services (UDS) will offer a wide variety of dining choices in Coffman, including the first Chick-Fil-A® in Minnesota, a new Einstein Bros.® Bagels, the locally-owned and operated southwestern restaurant Baja Sol Tortilla Grill, and Starbucks®, which will be located next to the bookstore. In addition, UDS will offer an Italian concept with pizza and pastas, grilled food with hamburgers and garden burgers, a soup station, comfort foods serving items such as mashed potatoes and rotisserie chicken, and a deli.
The renovated Coffman will also provide enhanced services available for the student and campus community of today and the future, including a computer lab, a new 40,000 square foot bookstore (opening March 2003), additional Internet kiosks, a branch of US Bank, updated meeting and conference rooms, an STA Travel agency, more student group and cultural center space, and a UCARD office.
Students will also be able to find several places in Coffman for study and lounge space. The food court area on the ground floor will provide plenty of tables for eating, studying or hanging out, with windows that view the south mall area. There will also now be two fireplaces on the first floor (we are restoring the second fireplace taken out during the 1970s renovation) for more lounge space.
Q:
Are there any portions of Coffman that have gone untouched?
A:
Except for the modernization of building systems, the Union landmarks such as the Great Hall and Whole Music Club will be maintained.
Aesthetic Questions
Q:
What new services will be in Coffman after renovation?
A:
The renewed Coffman Memorial Union will provide enhanced services available for the students and campus community of today and the future. These services include but are not limited to: study lounges; a computer lab; additional Internet kiosks offering email and web-based university information; food service with variety and expanded operating hours; retail shops including a new 40,000 square foot bookstore and private sector retail business that are appropriate to meeting student needs, such as a copy center, banking services, post office and UCARD office; updated offices and meeting/conference rooms; These services will be provided using the latest in technologies including modernized heating, cooling and air conditioning, and monitoring systems for maximum energy savings.
Q:
Whatever you do, don't turn Coffman into a mall! What kind of "feel" will Coffman have?
A:
The Twin Cities Student Unions Board of Governors is committed to preserving Coffman as a building for the students, not turning it into a "mall." Their goal is to make it light, open, safe and friendly with intimate spaces for studying and lounging. By recreating the front entrance to Coffman and building a four-story glass face on the south side of the building, there will be more natural light throughout the building, and open spaces along escalators where other floors of the building can be viewed. The four-story glass wall will also open the campus to the river, as directed in the original University plans. While updating the design, attention will be given to maintaining the traditional look of Coffman and trying to bring back some of the original art deco design.
Decision Making Questions
Q:
Who is making decisions regarding renovation issues?
A:
The Twin Cities Student Unions Board of Governors and the Student Union administration are working hand-in-hand with our Project Manager, Facilities Management and the Office of Student Development to make this decision. Of course we are pulling in other University officials as needed to answer questions. More than 5000 people have given input on the renovation since the start of the project through surveys, focus groups, forums and serving on the Board.
Q:
Who is on the Twin Cities Student Unions Board of Governors?
A:
The Board of Governors is comprised of twenty-one students members and six non-student members. The students represent the following constituencies: College of Liberal Arts (2); College of Biological Sciences (1); College of Human Ecology (1); College of Ag., Food and Envir. Science (1); College of Natural Resources (1); Carlson School of Management (1); College of Veterinary Medicine (1); Graduate Student from St. Paul campus (1) Institute of Technology (1); At-Large-Minneapolis (3); At-Large-St. Paul (1); Graduate and Prof. School Assembly (1); Minnesota Student Association (1); Student Union Programming Board (1); Cultural Centers (1); Greek Community (1); Residence Hall Association (1); St. Paul Board of Colleges (1).
Schedule Questions
Q:
Why is the Coffman renovation behind schedule?
A:
The general contractor bids under the Design/Bid/Build project delivery method (the original method approved for the renovation, see below) were over-budget, causing the University to move the project into the non-traditional Design/Build method in an effort to keep the project within budget. This included sending out a revised Request for Proposal (RFP) for construction and analyzing the original design plans and project scope once the general contractor was hired.
Q:
What is the difference between Design/Bid/Build and Design/Build?
A:
Design/Bid/Build is the traditional project delivery method the University has been using for more than 100 years, in which an architect is selected who designs the project within an established budget and timeframe, then contractors bid on the construction job, and generally the lowest bidder is awarded the contract.
Using the Design/Build method, the contractor is brought on board much earlier in the process, working with the architect to design the project within an established budget.
Q:
Why wasn't a general contractor lined up before all the demolition and moving began?
A:
Keeping the time Coffman is vacant as short as possible and minimizing the negative effect to the University community was always a high priority for the project. Schedule concurrence was required in the design, asbestos abatement, contractor bidding and award, demolition work and construction activities to achieve this. This is a typical approach to construction projects. Coffman closed November 16, 1999 - the latest possible time to complete the project on its original schedule.
Q:
Why didn't you make sure the bids weren't over budget before you closed Coffman?
A:
There were no indications when Coffman closed in November 1999 that there would be significant budget challenges with the designed project. Using Design/Bid/Build method, the architect is required not only to design the project within budget, but also prepare and submit construction cost estimates at the completion of each design phase. This assures the University that the project can be completed within budget. Had budget challenges been identified at the time Coffman closed for asbestos abatement, the decision to vacate Coffman would have been postponed.
Q:
Who was chosen as the general contractor and why?
A:
Ryan Companies US, Inc., a Minneapolis-based firm that has been in business for more than 60 years, was chosen as the general contractor to renovate Coffman under the Design/Build method. Ryan Companies is currently the contractor for the Riverbend Commons project, giving them the advantage of leveraging schedules and pricing to effectively use subcontractors, equipment and management staff. Ryan Companies used the Design/Build method to renovate Ford/Murphy Halls, which was completed six months ahead of schedule. In addition, Ryan Companies worked on the University of Minnesota Law School and the Grain Belt Brew House restoration in St. Paul.
Redesign Questions
Q:
Why did the Coffman renovation project need to be redesigned?
A:
The construction bids for the original design all came in over-budget, causing the University to move into the Design/Build project delivery method, which brings the general contractor on board much earlier in the process to ensure that the project can be completed within the established budget. Students from the TCSU Board of Governors, TCSU and University administration worked with the general contractor and architects to analyze the original design plans and identify efficiencies to save money, such as stacking all the restroom facilities so they can share the same plumbing.
Q:
Explain the budget differences from the original estimate:
A:
The revised $71 million budget is about $21 million more than originally approved by the Regents in 1999. Of the additional $21 million, approximately $12.5 million will come from tenants, with the rest from University and Coffman reserves. The student's portion, $37.5 million through an increase in student fees and $7.5 million from post-renovation Coffman revenues, will remain unchanged.
The increased cost of the project is primarily due to the addition of nearly 40,000 square feet for an anchor bookstore on the ground floor, and upgrades to the Campus Club on the fourth floor.
Q:
What are the differences in the re-design as compared to the original design?
A:
Major changes to the original design include:
- The addition of a 40,000 square foot anchor bookstore on the ground floor that will replace the West Bank, Williamson Hall and Health Sciences bookstores. The existing St. Paul and Law School bookstores will remain open.
- The deletion of the proposed winter garden. Instead of an enclosed terrace, a four-story glass face will be built on the south side of the building, creating the same effect with a series of lounges overlooking the Riverbend Commons and the Mississippi River.
- Adding a new lower-level Washington Avenue entrance in the northwest corner of the former underground garage area. Previous plans had called for a center lower level entrance. This change will not call for the lowering of Washington Avenue, but it could be explored in the future should funds become available. The new entrance will feature a glass pavilion that will open into the bookstore and a coffee shop.
- Student groups and cultural centers will now be consolidated on the 2nd floor, and other student services were moved to more customer-friendly locations within the building.
How Do I Find Out More About...
Q:
If I have questions about the Coffman Renovation, where can I get additional information?
A:
Contact the Twin Cities Student Unions Board of Governors at (612)624-3457 or by e-mail at cmuinfo@umn.edu. Or call the Twin Cities Student Union Director Maggie Towle, 42 St. Paul Student Center, at (612)625-8124. Also, try the other links from this page.
Q:
How can I get your group to come and speak to another group?
A:
Contact Karen in the Twin Cities Student Unions Administration Office, 42 St. Paul Student Center at (612)624-7218 and she will arrange for someone to come speak to your group.
Q:
How do I get information to the Twin Cities Student Unions Board of Governors?
A:
Contact Kristen Moore, Twin Cities Student Unions Board at (612)624-3457. You may also contact the Twin Cities Student Union Director Maggie Towle at (612)625-8124. Please send email to cmuinfo@umn.edu.
