STORRS, CT Staff members at KBE Building Corporation (KBE) won't be serving food to University of Connecticut students, but they will be making the serving process a whole lot smoother very soon.

The $300 million construction firm was recently awarded its third active construction project at UCONN's Storrs campus: a comprehensive renovation to the Israel Putnam Refectory Dining Hall.

KBE is serving as General Contractor for the $12.6 million project, which encompasses the following highlights:

42,000-square-foot renovation to the existing dining facility on the University of Connecticut's Storrs campus to accommodate an overall seating capacity of 700 students
Full renovation of the existing servery and seating area on the upper floor
Conversion of lower level into an additional level of seating
Installation of the following new elements
Service elevator
Two-level tray return system
Monumental open stair to connect upper- and lower-level seating areas
New rooftop mechanical and kitchen equipment condensing units
New servery-related food service equipment, serving lines, beverage stations, condiment stations, and serving counters
New finishes, graphics, and lighting
New furnishings throughout
Designed by Amenta Emma Architects
Completion scheduled for late summer 2016

A long-time builder for the University of Connecticut, KBE has completed a variety of construction projects on campus that have helped improve the college experience for students. Featured past projects include the following:

University of Connecticut | Garrigus Suites Residence Hall | Storrs
University of Connecticut | McMahon Dining Hall | Storrs
University of Connecticut | Student Union | Storrs

KBE was also recently awarded the $17 million renovation to the Henry Ruthven Monteith Building and Andre Schenker Lecture Hall, also at the Storrs campus.