UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- The food court in the HUB-Robeson Center on Penn State's University Park campus will have a whole new look when it reopens Aug. 25, the day classes begin for fall semester. The area closed in mid-May for renovations as part of a broader renovation and expansion plan, and crews have been working around the clock since then to renovate the area.

"When it opens, we will have the main section of the food court available," said David Gingher, director of Retail Dining. The main section of the food court includes Burger King, Chick-fil-A, the Blue Burrito, Soup & Garden, and a gelato and bakery area called Diversions.

Two additional food court offerings, McAlister's Deli and Jamba Juice, will open in mid- to late-September.

"Seating in the food court area will be limited at first, because the construction of the new adjacent main atrium areas will not be completed until February 2015," Gingher said.

The addition and renovation project includes more than 106,000 square feet of improvements  – encompassing about 54,800 square feet of new space and 52,000 square feet of renovated space, including the following:

-- New seating and lounge space;

-- Additional meeting and multi-purpose rooms;

-- New THON merchandise store;

-- Renovated Bookstore and Food Court; and

-- Relocated retail venues, such as the ID+ office, PNC Bank and Penn State Federal Credit Union.

Penn State's Board of Trustees approved the project in May 2013, the result of a recommendation issued by the student-led Facilities Fee Committee at University Park. The project will enhance opportunities for the nearly 1,000 student organizations at University Park,

After the food court is complete, the Penn State Bookstore will be the next area of the HUB-Robeson Center to be completed, with an expected re-opening in October. Other areas will reopen as they are finished, with the overall project scheduled to be completed in May 2015. The project is being paid for primarily from student facilities fees, HUB reserves, Food Services funds and bookstore reserves.