Penn State’s Board of Trustees is set to approve a $16.6 million project to renovate Thompson Hall’s restrooms and add 14 beds to the University Park residence hall, the trustees announced Thursday morning at the Finance and Investment Committee meeting.

If approved, the project will renovate all three restroom stacks in Thompson Hall. It will address accessibility issues, bring the restrooms into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and resolve approximately $2.2 million in deferred maintenance.

Built in 1950, Thompson Hall’s restrooms have not undergone renovations in 76 years, according to the committee. The project will also add 14 beds through six additional bedrooms.

Housing and Food Services reserves will cover the project’s full cost.

If approved, construction will begin during the spring semester with renovations to one restroom stack while the affected rooms are unoccupied. Work on the remaining two stacks is scheduled for the summer, with the goal of completing the project before the fall semester begins.

According to the committee, crews may work double shifts and weekends to meet the timeline.

The renovation follows other improvements to Thompson Hall, including a new slate roof, new flooring throughout the building, and added rooms in former attic space.

During the meeting, trustees asked about Housing and Food Services’ remaining reserves after the project, as well as other planned expenditures. University representatives said approximately $27 million would remain in reserves after accounting for the fiscal year’s projects.

The board’s financial committee recommended approval of the project. Trustees voted in favor of the proposal, and the motion carried without opposition.

Before approval, the full Board of Trustees will vote during Friday’s meeting.

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