University Union Expansion

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The University Union is being transformed with an 85,000 square foot addition and a complete renovation of the existing building. The Brand New U will have expanded event, dining and student group space, a more open and spacious interior, and new main entrances connecting the new and renovated plazas on the north and south sides of the building. The new north plaza at the front of the building will connect the addition to Towson Way, Burdick Hall and the College of Liberal Arts.

Features of A Brand New U

• double the space for student activities and organizations
• 300-seat auditorium/movie theatre
• new food market with seven food venues, including Dunkin’ Donuts 
• relocated and expanded Career Center
• 15,000-square-foot ballroom  

Project Impacts

Traffic and Pedestrian Information

The Union Garage will remain open during the project. While the north side of the building remains blocked for construction, the main entrances on the first and second floor are open for use. See the pedestrian map (PDF) for details. If you have limited mobility and are having difficulty navigating around the project, please call 410-704-RIDE (7433) and a TU Paratransit will help get you where you need to go.

Services and Dining 

Susquehanna Dining is closed and will reopen in late 2021 as an open-air food market. Paws will remain open through summer 2021. 

The University Store is open on the first floor of the Union and can be accessed via the patio or the first floor corridor. The Post Office remains open in its temporary location in the enclosed patio adjacent to Paws. The Ticket Office and all other dining locations remain open with normal hours.

Events

Union event space will be available on a limited basis throughout the project. Event spaces may be impacted by construction noise. To better accommodate meetings and events during the project, new space options have been made available in academic buildings (for meetings), the West Village Commons, Auburn Pavilion, and Minnegan Room (for events). We suggest you visit the Reservations page or contact Event & Conference Services to talk through the best location for your event. 

Progress

Progress is underway on a Brand New U!  A grand stairwell now links the first and second floor lobbies, making the two levels more open and connected. Work is underway on the grand staircase. The exterior of east addition and north addition are nearing completion, with finishing work underway both inside and outside the building.

Project Timeline

There are two main components to the project. The first is expanding the building with a new, three-level addition to house an open food market and new main entrance along Towson Way. The second is renovating the existing building. Key project milestones are provided in the timeline below.

Why we are expanding

The Union is the most frequently-used building on Towson University’s campus, housing student activities, student group and meeting space, and retail and dining options used by the entire campus community. An update is in order to expand and transform the Union for Towson University’s current campus population of approximately 23,000 students, versus the 9,000 students enrolled when the building opened in 1972.