Central Campus will undergo major renovations to make it feel more like the home it will be to Duke students for at least another decade.

In light of the University construction freeze that put the proposed plans for New Campus on hold, administrators are moving to address the concerns that have made Central an undesirable residence to many students.

"I'd like [Central] to be both livable and feel like a part of Duke," said Steve Nowicki, vice provost and dean of undergraduate education. "Equally importantly, it needs to feel like it's part of Duke so students don't feel like they're in a random bedroom community."

Nowicki said discussions have made it clear there are four main things students dislike about Central-security, transportation, the absence of a social center and the lack of dining options.

The University is already in the process of addressing the lack of food and social space on Central by moving Uncle Harry's general store to make room for a new restaurant-scheduled to open later this Fall-which will serve beer and wine to the largley over-21 population that resides on Central.

Uncle Harry's will reopen in the nearby Mill Village, a series of old buildings currently used for storage, which will be renovated to provide common areas for students' use.

Although Mill Village plans have not been completely finalized, Nowicki said the new complex will probably include an exercise facility, meeting and study rooms with ePrint and wireless access and several outdoor spaces.

Nowicki added that the Mill Village will also likely host a Duke University Police Department substation, similar to the one in Bell Tower dormitory on East Campus, in order to give students a better sense of security.

"Other things we're going to do for security are to remind people that Central is not a dangerous place-the crime that happens there is usually petty larceny, which is just people stealing something," he said. "I do understand that security is as much a matter of perception as reality, so we are going to do several things to change the perception of Central."

But DUPD Chief John Dailey said although the department has been allotted space on the middle campus, plans to add a hub are still subject to change.

"We would prefer our officers to be out in the community interacting with the residents of Central Campus, so we will see how it fits into our general philosophy and practices," Dailey said.

Executive Vice President Tallman Trask said with a new police substation and new gates and fences, access to Central will be under stricter control than it is currently.

Central Campus would potentially be surrounded by estate fencing with piers made of Duke stone or brick, Nowicki said. He added that well-lit paths are crucial to fostering a sense of safety.

Although the new restaurant and proposed common spaces are scheduled to be completed this Fall, Trask said improvements to the apartments themselves will begin in a second phase of renovations starting next summer.

This summer, two apartments will be renovated into model apartments so students will have the opportunity to look at the interiors over the course of the year, Vice President for Student Affairs Larry Moneta said.

Among those renovations, the old appliances and fixtures will be replaced as well as fresh paint and new carpeting, Nowicki said.

"It's kind of going to give a much better sense of them being reasonably nice places," he said.

The social shift toward Central

Administrators said they were in negotiations with several fraternities over the possibility of moving their sections to Central Campus, where they would join SHARE and Ubuntu, two selective living groups that will be making their homes on Central this Fall.

"I've made it very clear to Campus Council that I don't want them to exile a fraternity out to Central as a punishment," Nowicki said. "I don't want it to seem like a punishment-I'm looking for a socially responsible group, of which there are many, and we are willing to do what we can to work with them and incentivize the move."

Moneta said administrators were prepared to do what they could to optimize the environment for a fraternity, particularly in terms of good common space and location.

"In some respects, Duke's fraternities aren't as well regarded for things they do beyond the social, and this is an opportunity to show things like philanthropy," he said.

Fraternities that choose to relocate to Central may also receive first pick of locations when New Campus is eventually built.

"That's interesting because that won't benefit the members now, but they might be willing to do this for future generations," Nowicki said.

Many of the changes being made this summer are unlikely to be completed by the time students move in this Fall, but students will find refinished basketball courts and a turf field in place of the current tennis courts on Central.

Nowicki said administrators recognize Central's overhaul as a top priority, and he is confident the University will not back out of the plans.

"I'm pushing very hard to really push this along-I just keep pointing out that we can't wait any longer," he said. "Unless you can give me a really good reason why this can't be done by a time, it has to be."

A cheaper alternative to New Campus

"[Planning for Central] started when it became apparent that we would not be able to build New Campus immediately," Trask said. "It became clear we would not be able to let Central just sit there."

He added that without the delay of New Campus construction, many of the proposed changes to Central would probably not take place.

Phase I of New Campus was expected to cost $400 to $450 million, but Central is budgeted between $12 and $15 million, Nowicki said.

"On the one hand, that's a heck of a lot of money, but on the other hand, that's necessary to make Central better for a decade," he added

Once New Campus is built, Central will no longer house undergraduate students, but administrators said some parts may still be used for graduate or visiting faculty housing.

"The investments really are short-term for the next generation or two of Duke students, not long-tern investments for the future," he said.

Trask said the University will probably stay within its current budget, although the most expensive parts of the plan have not been started.

The project will be financed mainly through rent revenues, Moneta said, and will not detract from any other University projects or raise housing fees.

"The money is basically money that can come from existing residence life resources," Nowicki said. "When you pay rent to Duke, part of that is for maintenance of the facilities.

There's always a certain amount of capital in reserve for deferred maintenance, and they have accumulated some resources in that account to get us started."

Last Spring, the University hired consulting firm Hanbury Evans Wright Vlattas and Co. to meet with administrators and Central residents. Campus Council has collected data on students' opinions of Central in an effort to determine what changes need to be made to the campus.

"Everything we've done has been derived from intense conversations with students," Moneta said. "We're not just making this up as we go along."

Lindsey Rupp contributed reporting.