Lehigh Valley Building Expansion

Penn State Lehigh Valley (PSULV) has a distinguished history within the Pennsylvania State University, being the oldest continually running campus outside of University Park. The campus opened its doors in 1912 and initially offered technical and workforce training. It then progressed to offer associate as well as baccalaureate degrees in what proved to be temporary locations (Ridge Avenue then Fogelsville). The campus eventually moved to its current location in Center Valley in 2010 to accommodate increasing student enrollments, expansion of academic degree programs, and growth in faculty and staff numbers. The move allowed the campus to triple its square footage, and PSULV was able to expand many amenities for students, including additional classrooms, a larger Fitness Center, and an Art Gallery. Despite the increase in size, some areas remained lacking; these include the current dining facility and the current student spaces, which are very limited for PSULV’s vibrant commuter campus.

The goals of the project include the following:

• Provide a full-service kitchen that can offer food preparation on-site
• Incorporate a special events room
• Provide collaborative student gathering and support space
• Provide a three-story addition
• Enable the creation of an organic chemistry lab

The project’s new construction will support program space on the first floor for a kitchen, cafe, special events room and dining area. The second floor will include student activity space, student affairs lounge and offices, and student club area and offices. The third floor will include an organic chemistry lab with support spaces, classroom and tutoring offices.

The University has completed the design which defines an addition of 20,500 gross square feet.