Johnson & Wales University campuses are bustling with construction and renovation. Under FOCUS 2011, JWU is raising the bar and transforming campus facilities. To enhance the student experience, many state-of-the-art upgrades are planned. Of course each comes with a substantial price tag.

“The university has many needs and we have to establish priorities,” says Merlin DeConti, senior vice president of facilities management. DeConti, along with vice president of information technology and chief information officer, John Smithers, and other university and campus leaders is prioritizing infrastructure plans.

As JWU enhances its technology and facilities, it continually strives to balance affordability for students. “It is incumbent that the advancement effort be prepared to provide external funding to meet the university’s most pressing needs and assist students in the cost of their education,” says Patricia McLaughlin, J.D., senior vice president of Institutional Advancement. “Our fund-raising efforts must be targeted and focused on delivering resources to these key areas.”

In 2006–2007 alone, JWU invested $26 million across its four campuses. By 2011 approximately $250 million will have to be invested in property, plant and equipment. Here is a partial list of completed and ongoing projects:

Charlotte

• Cyber Lounge, Gateway Village (September ’07)
• College of Business classrooms and offices, Gateway Center (September ’08)

Denver

• Demo kitchen, Jared S. Polis Auditorium (September ’07)
• College of Business classrooms (September ’07)
• Treat Hall renovations (fall ’09)

North Miami

• New 50,000-square-foot academic and administration building (November ’09)
• 17th Street right-of-way improvements; 125th Street pedestrian mall and Palm Gardens residence hall renovations (through June ’09)

Providence

• Xavier Auditorium renovation (September ’07)
• Rolo Building renovation consolidating student services downtown (September ’08)