May 08, 2025
Communications Building on track to complete design by July
The multimillion-dollar project to renovate the Communications Building is expected to reach a major milestone in July – the completion of the design and plans by design firm RATIO Architects.
Following the completion of the design, the project is expected to go out for bid in fall 2025, and construction is tentatively slated to begin in spring 2026 and last about 30 months.
This project will add about 40,000 square feet to the 1964 building and include classrooms and lab space, a studio theatre, costume shop, new dressing room facilities and a convergence media lab with a broadcast studio and control room.
About 118,800 square feet in the existing structure will be renovated to upgrade the acoustics, lighting, plumbing, fire protection, electrical and HVAC systems; reconfigure and renovate media arts studios, a student services suite and dean’s suite; improve WSIU radio studios and TV editing, control rooms and offices; and update technology.
The renovation directly involves WSIU Radio and TV, the School of Communication Studies in the College of Liberal Arts, and the College of Arts and Media’s School of Journalism and Advertising, School of Media Arts, School of Theater and Dance, and the photography program in the School of Art and Design.