Construction on schedule for OSU-Cascades campus

Construction workers are hammering away at building the new 10-acre OSU Cascades Campus on the west side of Bend.

The structural framing is up and nearly complete for the dining hall. The first floor of the building will be devoted to dining and kitchen facilities, as well as seating areas with a fireplace. The upper floor will include classrooms and offices.

The academic building, which will be ready for classes this fall, will be the first building to open on the campus.

The property includes a three story academic building that holds eight classrooms, including faculty offices.

The new campus is on the corner of Southwest Century Drive and Chandler Avenue.

The residential hall that is also going up will house 300 students.

OSU Cascades spokeswoman Christine Coffin said Monday the campus is also looking at reducing its carbon emissions by encouraging students and staff to use alternative ways of commuting to and from the campus.

“We already invested in public transit. There’s a new bus route that goes between COCC and the OSU-Cascades Campus that faculty and staff already using,” Coffin said.

The new students staying on campus this fall will live in a former COCC dorm until the new residence hall is ready. The dining and residence hall is set to open this winter.