For more than a year, the heart of the University of Oregon campus has been a chaotic scene of construction while much of the outdated Erb Memorial Union has been demolished, rebuilt or renovated, and a brand-new, modern EMU has risen gradually from the rubble.

While the common areas will begin to open to students starting in mid-May — including portions of the new wing — some key areas of the building will remain offline through the summer.

The EMU ballroom will be closed to the public starting spring break and lasting until the beginning of the fall quarter. In addition to the main ballroom and the Adell McMillan Gallery, the Gumwood, Maple and Oak Rooms will be offline as well.

Originally, a renovation of the ballroom was not in the expansion plan. But because of thrifty management by contractors and the businesses associated with the project team — the EMU project has been on-time and on-budget since it started — contingency funds are available for the ballroom work.

The ballroom upgrades are intended to meet the accessibility requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. In the ballroom, the construction team envisions a mechanized lift to the stage, a new floor and upgrades to the audiovisual systems.

“We’re excited to add the EMU ballroom and the surrounding areas to the scope of the project and make it more accessible for everyone,” said Dan Geiger, project coordinator for the renovation and expansion. “It’s a truly unique space on campus.”

While the ballroom is offline, event sponsors needing large spaces should consider the Ford Alumni Center, Global Scholars Hall, 150 Columbia Hall, 156 Straub Hall, Mac Court or Matthew Knight Arena.  For more information, contact EMU Scheduling and Event Services.

As for the other aspects of the new-and-improved EMU, Joe’s Burgers and Subway are expected to open to students during the week of Jan. 18. Falling Sky Brewing will be opening their doors in late May or early June if all goes as planned. No opening date has been set for the new ground-level Fresh Market and Townshend’s Tea, but both are expected to open before fall term.

To watch virtual tours of what the new EMU will look like, click here.

— By Nathaniel Brown, Public Affairs Communications