Work is underway on the Thomas Convenience Center in the Thomas Dining Center after a semester delay, bringing hope that the project will reach completion over the semester break.

Over Thanksgiving break, Facilities Planning and Management constructed a barrier wall to separate the dining area from the future convenience shop so construction will not interfere with student diners, said Mark Hudson, director of housing and dining.

Behind the wall, he said, crews are busy redoing the ceiling and wiring electrical outlets.

“We’re basically preparing for the finished project,” Hudson said.

Construction was originally scheduled to begin at the start of this semester, he said. However, the renovations of the Doudna Fine Arts Center and construction of the new Human Resource building pushed the project back. Crews did not want to take on too many projects at once, and the strict time line of the Doudna Fine Arts Center and Human Services building took priority.

Before the holiday break, Hudson was concerned that construction may be delayed again because a door had been ordered, but not delivered. Though the door still has not been delivered and no date for delivery is set, crews decided to start planning to be finished by the beginning of spring semester.

Facilities planning and management are also busy erecting counters to fit into the shop once electrical work is finished.

The snack shop was proposed for Thomas Dining center after the success of similar “one-stop shops” in Carman Hall and the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union. The shop will provide snacks like chips, candy and and drinks as a faster alternative to dining centers.

Once the door is delivered, a hole will be cut into the wall of Thomas Dining Center and a walkway will be added so students can access the shop directly from the South Quad.