The remainder of phase-one construction for the Talley Student Union will open sometime between February and March, according to University officials.

Tim Hogan, the operations director for Campus Enterprises division, said that while there is not yet a set date for the opening, he and his team are currently working with contractors to specify a schedule and are hoping to open during mid-February. 

The opening section will include a ballroom three times as large as the one that was in the Talley Student Center, the senate chamber for student government, five additional meeting rooms, One Earth World Cuisine, a Wolf Xpress copy and printing service, Port City Java and several lounge spaces, Hogan said. 

According to Jennifer Gilmore, the director of marketing communication for Campus Enterprises, the new ballroom will be able to hold 1,100 people during a lecture and 800 people in a meal setting at capacity. 

Half of the ballroom and the fourth and fifth floors will be opening with phase one in order to allow students to traverse from the currently open section to the sections opening soon, according to Gilmore.  

Gilmore said she believes and hopes that as each part opens, students will keep getting excited for the remaining sections.

Phase-two construction will be completed approximately January or February 2015 and will hold the student involvement center. This section will include the offices of several student groups such as the N.C. State GLBT center, the women’s center, multicultural student affairs, student government, Greek life, the Center for Student Leadership Ethics and Public Service, ARTS N.C. State and the Union Activities Board, according to Hogan and Gilmore. 

Gilmore said she thinks the new design, which features glass panel walls, will lead to more interaction between groups on campus and will allow the groups to share common goals that lead to bigger, better and more robust results.

“Collaboration is when great ideas come alive,” Gilmore said.  

The bookstore, which currently resides in Harrelson Hall, will not be moving during phase I, according to Hogan. 

Gilmore said the bookstore will eventually be held in two stories: The first story will contain textbooks and the second story will contain N.C. State merchandise. The bookstore will also be connected into a four-story atrium area. 

Phase-II will also offer new eating choices, including 1887 Bistro on floors three and four and a Starbucks on the ground floor, Hogan said.

Students may visit the Campus Enterprises website to view projected images of what the Talley Student Center will look like when completed.