Wayne State’s Board of Governors approved measures during its regular March 20 meeting, ranging from a long-term lease for the Bonstelle Theatre, a new degree program and expansion of the Towers Café.
Bonstelle Theatre/Roxbury Group lease
The Board of Governors approved a 45-year master lease of the Bonstelle Theatre with The Roxbury Group.
The initial deal terms include Wayne State University retaining occupancy within the Bonstelle Theatre, located at 3424 Woodward Avenue, until relocating to the renovated Hilberry Gateway project.
Crain’s Detroit Business described the long-term lease of the Bonstelle Theatre as part of Detroit-based developer The Roxbury Group's planned West Elm hotel project, unveiled last week. Construction is slated to begin in 2020.
Bachelor of science with a major in neuroscience
The new bachelor of science with a major in neuroscience degree program, offered in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, will launch in the fall 2019 semester.
Neuroscience will be an interdisciplinary major leading to a bachelor of science degree. It will combine the strengths of biological sciences, psychology and other campus units to provide training in the field of neuroscience, a discipline that seeks to explain the functioning of the nervous system and how it generates complex perceptions and behaviors.
Successful graduates of the program will develop a strong foundation that will make them competitive for post-graduate study or employment in industry, government, health and education. This interdisciplinary program will be jointly housed in the biological sciences and psychology departments.
Towers Residential Suites and Café dining addition
Built in 2005, the Towers Residential Suites and Towers Café houses dining, residential and office space. The building also houses the Towers Café, one of two residential dining facilities on campus.
The Towers Café currently serves a variety of cuisine to more than 2,000 meal plan holders and guests daily, seven days a week. With the renovation of Chatsworth Apartments into Chatsworth suites, 360 more meal plans will be required by fall 2020, necessitating additional seating.
The addition will include 5,500 square feet, expanding into the adjacent courtyard and adding more than 300 seats, as well as an outdoor patio for guests and special events.