On Jan. 7, just in time for the first day of its second semester,
Duquesne University opened the new $35 million Power Center
Located
at the corner of Chatham Sq. and Forbes Ave., the 130,000-square-foot
multipurpose facility marks the first phase of Duquesne’s campus master
plan, the university's comprehensive 10-year development strategy.
Duquesne’s
first new construction in twenty years, the Power Center houses a
two-story
Barnes & Noble Booksellers, three-story
80,000-square-foot recreation center and a Starbucks. Named for
Duquesne’s first president, the facility also boasts a
7,500-square-foot conference/ballroom, balcony and full-service kitchen.
“This
is a very important day in our history. It significantly expands
recreational opportunities for our existing students and gives us a
showcase for recruiting students of the future," says Duquesne
University president Charles Dougherty. “There’s a throng of students
coming and going over there. People were already working out there
today at eight-thirty in the morning, right when we opened."
The center’s green building elements include controlled lighting,
carbon dioxide sensors, waterless urinals, and energy-efficient heating
and cooling systems. “We
expect to be LEED certified, probably at the Silver level,” adds
Dougherty, who says that the region's first
Jamba Juice
will open at the Power Center within the next ten days, along with the
Red Ring restaurant.
DRS Architects designed the five-story project;
contractor is
Jendoco Construction Corporation.
The Power Center is connected to
Duquesne’s recently dedicated
Sklar Skywalk, Pittsburgh’s highest
pedestrian bridge. The $3 million 138-foot skywalk links the Power
Center to the Duquesne Union and Forbes Ave. parking garage.
Writer:
Jennifer BaronSource: Charles Dougherty, president of Duquesne University
Image courtesy Duquesne University