Over the summer, workers removed the Danna Center’s grilles as the first step in the building’s new look. This is just the first in many improvements planned for Loyola’s student center.
It took about two weeks and $72,300 to remove the grilles and apply a fresh coat of paint to the exterior of the building. Vice President of Student Affairs Marcia “Cissy” Petty hopes removal of the grilles and other updates to the Danna Center will offer a fresh look and be the kickoff for the remaining renovations.
“The grille was a priority because it was ugly and had to come off while students were away,” Petty said. “It also represents the start of the building changing on the inside.”
The Danna Center was originally designed to be part of a Lake Pontchartrain campus, and the grilles were intended to deflect the sunlight reflected from the lake. When Loyola nixed plans for a lakeside campus, the designs were instead used for the main campus but were not altered to accommodate the new placement.
“It’s great to see the campus finally changing after Katrina. The grilles being removed are one step towards more things to come,” said Lloyd Greenfield, history junior. “The Danna Center was just a place to get food before, and now it’s on its way to becoming an actual student center.”
Loyola’s board of trustees has allotted $2 million for renovations, and Sodexho food services will be providing $1 million of upgrades to food services. Already in place to lead the food improvements is a new executive chef, Vinny Bruno, whose resume includes a stint at Commander’s Palace.
Removal of the grilles begins the first phase of the Danna Center’s makeover. Phase One of the project will include new landscaping, new paint and new ceramic tile on the exterior of the building. There are also plans to use the old grilles as cover for a new back porch area that is planned. All plans include bold colors, and Petty hopes the improvements will accentuate the building’s “retro” feel.
Phase Two, which students might see begin in September, will focus on the interior of the Danna Center. Petty hopes to see not only new furniture and carpeting, but a new setup in the cafeteria, an organic food market and an upscale lounge in place of the Underground.
Kate Rafferty can be reached
