Page Hall, located on The Oval, is being completely renovated and will be the new home of the John Glenn Institute and School of Public Policy and Management.

The institute located in Stillman Hall and has outgrown its space there. While five members of the institutes staff located in Fisher Hall, they are seeking additional space as the organization continues to grow.

The renovation will cost $16 million. OSU has allocated $11 million toward the project from its capital budget and the institute is raising the remaining $5 million privately.

“The construction at Page Hall hasn’t yet started, but is scheduled to begin in mid-to-late February. The construction should take approximately 18 months, so completion is scheduled for September 2004,” said Ruth Miller, project manager for the renovation.

Deborah Merritt, director of the institute, said Page Hall will be an ideal location because it is centrally located on The Oval, allowing the institute to interact with all departments and colleges on campus.

Page Hall was also chosen to house the institute because it has the appearance of a government building, with front steps and columns.

“That fits with the institute’s commitment to public service,” Merritt said.

The project will be a total renovation of the building; everything except the exterior walls will be new.

“The design for Page Hall will float a three-story, transparent, rectangular prism within a larger masonry building, which creates new floor space and offers a striking appearance,” Miller said.

The building’s open design highlights the overall mission of the institute, which is to create a bridge between the university and the outside world and to encourage everyone to participate in an exchange of ideas.

“The exterior of the building will change with a considerable increase in glass in the central portion of the building on the north and south sides,” said Bernie Costantino of facilities planning and development.

On the first floor, a glass-enclosed public forum overlooking The Oval will allow groups of 45 or less to convene for policy discussions following lectures held at Mershon Auditorium or other nearby locations. A training room to support the institute’s regular management training sessions will be made available.

The renovation also includes pool classrooms for all students and a new Office of Information Technology computer lab.

“I am particularly excited about the way the facilities will support student programs and allow students to interact with both policy makers and researchers,” Merritt said.