Harlen Adams In His Own Words

Under the Wing of Aset

Bidwell Park: Chico's Crown Jewel

In 1969, the original Bell Memorial Union (BMU) was built. During that time, enrollment at CSU, Chico was 6000. The bookstore in the BMU was enlarged in its present location in 1974 to accommodate increased enrollment and an inventory that included supplies and clothing. The bookstore was enlarged again in 1991. Then, in 1996, the Chico State student body voted for an increase in fees to pay for an expanded BMU; in 1997, President Manuel A. Esteban endorsed further expansion of the bookstore. A merger of the two expansion projects was formed.

As a result, the cost of financing will be $636,250 less with the merger than if the AS. had approached each project separately; the total cost will be $21 million, with $8 million of that going to the bookstore; much of the revenue will be generated by the AS. business.

The BMU will receive added space in the basement where the present bookstore is. Additional space will also be available for the AS. on the third floor of the new bookstore, which will be built where Yuba Hall is currently located. It will be almost twice the size of the current bookstore.

When all is done, there will be a new game room with pool tables, foosball, and air hockey; an adjoining room with arcade games; computers in the lounge area; office space for Adventure Outings, AS. Programming, Union Graphics, and AS. Recycling; increased meeting rooms; a full-service mail station; increased dining space with an outdoor dining area; a multi-use facility with a 1000-person capacity for concerts and events or a 500-person capacity for a sit-down, catered dinner; and a galleria connecting the BMU with the new bookstore.

Construction begins fall 1998. The grand opening should take place in January 2000.

David Buckley, Bell Memorial Union Administration