The Colorado restaurant will be moving out in April, and the availability of such a central building and piece of land has everyone asking “what now?”

Kathleen Brady, vice president of facilities management and civic affairs, stated that she believes that the University will seek a restaurant or other retail use for the bite.

“My comments concerning the probability [the building will be leased to another restaurant] were made based upon my experience on the committee that studied non-academic facilities on campus,” Brady said.

“The input that committee received was that the students want more to do within walking distance of the campus, whether it is retail stores, restaurants, coffee shops, etc.” said Brady. She added that the non-student population also has a desire for more restaurant options within walking distance.

“My thinking that retail and restaurant uses should be explored first is in direct response to the needs of the entire University community.”

However, not everyone is in agreement about those needs. SGA Senators Dan Schniedermeier and Jim McNichols are presently working on a bill that would voice student concerns about the decision-making process for the property. They feel decisions are being made without student consultation.

McNichols, undergraduate commuter Senator and Vice President of the Commuter Student Association, said that several commuter students have contacted him with their concerns about the lack of parking on the west end of campus. He said Colorado could be torn down to create parking space.

“We need to look at why this end of campus has so little parking. Residents are competing daily for spots, and the situation is worse for commuters,” said Schniedermeier, Public Service senator.

“Students should have been consulted on the future of such a valuable piece of land,” McNichols said.