Britton Plaza will not be fully open until at least Commencement on May 17. 

However, the front entrance should be open in early May, according to Jon Brighton, Managing Director of Campus Operations. Students hope to have easier access to the HUB during finals week and a new space on campus to enjoy as they wrap up the semester.

Over the past several weeks, students have been able to enjoy the staged reopening of Britton Plaza and the entrance to the HUB. Two and a half weeks ago, the front seating area opened, which includes many new tables and large windows overlooking Britton, and students have already flocked there to gather and do work. 

“I’m most impressed by the new front entrance. It is super improved over the old entryway,” said Caroline Joyner ’26, who has already begun to use the area as a regular study spot.

The HUB side entrance and library basement entrance are now accessible from Britton, too, with a beautiful new entrance and gray stone set into the plaza. 

However, there has been some trouble along the way. The January weather caused significant delays. Carlisle had a colder winter than usual, with several snowstorms, and the pavers could not be installed when the temperature was below freezing. 

Meanwhile, the renovations team is planning for the second phase of the work, which “will be focused on HVAC and sprinkler upgrades and installs in the building,” said Brighton, which will not necessarily be visible to students. “We are starting to work with a dining consultant and will engage students in planning for cosmetic and dining operational upgrades to Union Station, the Underground, and the main dining hall in upcoming months with project work commencing later this fall.”

The HUB project page on Dickinson’s website has not been recently updated, but also states that phase two of the project will include “further investments to dining facilities, including micro-restaurants,” and “other deferred maintenance improvements.”