Trustees approve renovation of bookstore annex into Community Engagement and Sustainability Center

The Austin Peay State University Business and Finance Committee voted to approve renovation of the vacant bookstore annex (garage portion of 328 College Street) into a Community Engagement and Sustainability Center, authorizing execution of a letter of intent for a gift-in-place agreement and approving project costs not to exceed $1,200,000.

Sharous Roopavar, vice president for finance and administration, said the renovated space will place the SOS food pantry on the first floor and community engagement and sustainability staff offices on the second floor. Roopavar described the renovation as primarily funded by a gift in place from Leo and Lily Yuan, who will deliver a finished space ready for furnishing and occupation; the university will pay for furnishings. Roopavar said the conceptual designs were previously shared with the Student Affairs Committee in March 2024.

Roopavar told trustees the university does not expect the renovation to exceed $1,200,000. He also stated the new food pantry will be “the largest of its kind in Tennessee,” and provided usage figures: 4,676 visits to the pantry in the last fiscal year, an 89 percent increase over the prior year. Chris Phillips and Leonard Clemens were present to answer questions.

Committee members praised the project’s potential; a trustee called it “innovative” and noted the university’s prior history as an early adopter of on-campus food pantry services. The motion to approve the renovation and the letter of intent carried on a roll-call vote with recorded affirmative votes from Trustee Cannata, Trustee Kimbrough, Trustee Johnson, Trustee McGinnis and Trustee O'Malley. The committee authorized staff to execute the nonbinding letter of intent and pursue required state approvals.