YOUNGSTOWN – Perhaps state Rep. Monica Robb Blasdel’s most favored aspect of a major renovation project underway on the Youngstown State University campus is as broad and far-reaching as the work itself.

“I’m impressed with the overall architectural plan and the thoughtfulness that is in the architectural design,” Robb Blasdel, R-Columbiana, said.

The state lawmaker had an opportunity to see the plan in its most updated version as part of a Lake to River delegation that toured Kilcawley Center on Thursday afternoon to see progress on renovations to the building.

The delegation is composed of five Ohio House members who represent the Lake to River Economic Development Region.

On May 5, the university broke ground on the nearly $58 million renovation project aimed largely at modernizing, simplifying and revamping the center, the main portion of which was constructed in the mid-1960s and has undergone few upgrades since. More than $13 million in funds from the last General Assembly capital budget have been allocated for the effort.

Work should be finished by fall 2027, several YSU officials have said.

Robb Blasdel added that she also was impressed with what may be a contrast between the environment on the first and second floors. The top floor likely will be more “serene,” with areas for students to quietly study and socialize, whereas the first floor will be more bustling, as it will be home to a new food court that will be a central location for meal choices, she explained.

Even though most of the building is closed and surrounded by 8-foot construction fencing, the Chestnut Room remains open and is acting as a temporary food-service area with five options, Rebecca Rose, YSU spokeswoman, noted. A sixth food vendor is set up outside on the east end of the building near the Daniel H. Becker Family Fountain Commons, she added.

Also part of the 30-minute tour Thursday was state Rep. David Thomas, R-Jefferson, who said he envisions the new Kilcawley Center being a positive and needed change for students and faculty.

“There’s a lot missing,” he said about the center’s current state. “It seems like a new, fresh start to the building, which is important. The building has good bones, and what will come of it with new walls and rooms, I’m excited to see.”

Embedded in the construction work’s early phase is installing more modern and efficient mechanical equipment and infrastructure, as well as building the centralized food court area that will bring all food-related businesses into one location, John P. Hyden, YSU’s associate vice president of university facilities and support services, noted.

Mike Coates Construction Co. of Niles is the project’s general contractor. Handling much of the demolition is Cleveland-based B&B Wrecking & Excavating Inc., along with a few other subcontractors.

Most of the major inside demolition is finished, Hyden said, adding that an overarching goal also is to reconstruct a Kilcawley Center that provides plenty of comfort and is easier to navigate than its predecessor.

Bill Spencer, the university’s planning and construction director, said the food court is scheduled to open by fall 2026.

“The next push is to get everything in place for the new food service,” he added.

In addition, the Chestnut Room will eventually be converted to a large-scale ballroom with partitioned walls that also will serve as a banquet area, with up to a 500-seat capacity.

One of the original Kilcawley Center’s problems was the difficulty many had with navigating the building, in part because food businesses, for example, were scattered. Once finished, the center will feature stronger access points, along with a tiered stairway on which students also will be able to study and socialize, Spencer explained.

The multi-phase, multi-pronged work on YSU’s center of student life and commerce also will serve to make a bit of history.

“This is hands-down the biggest construction project we’ve ever taken on,” Hyden said.