Downtown students already have three new dining options on the ASU campus, but if University negotiations are successful, the restaurants will soon accept M&G dollars and meal plans, said an ASU official.
The three new restaurants — Sbarro, Subway and El Portal Mexican Grill — are located on Central Avenue on the first floor of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication building.
Capstone Development Corporation, in charge of managing Taylor Place and Taylor Mall, is also working on signing a deal, expected to be complete in the next two weeks, for a new Chinese restaurant on the retail spot in Taylor Place on First Street.
“Right now we are working with the owners to sign up for the [Maroon and Gold Dollars] plan. I know Subway is already in the process of working through that, and we’re trying to get the other two on board as well,” said Patrick Panetta, assistant director of University Real Estate Development.
El Portal owner Earl Wilcox said he didn’t know about the Maroon and Gold Dollars option, but definitely wants to do it.
“Whatever is going to be for the convenience of the students here, that’s what we want to do,” he said. “We’re there to serve the students.”
El Portal, however, does accept Sun Dollars. Wilcox said it is important to him and his restaurant to be involved with the University.
“We want to be a part of the whole fabric of ASU,” he said. “We’re really committed to not only serving food but getting involved with the University.”
English senior Ashley Wilson said while she would have liked to see a healthier restaurant choice, she did like the convenience of having the new restaurants so close.
“I don’t know the area very well, so when I am walking to class, it’s nice to know that there’s a restaurant right by,” Wilson said. “They’re really helpful for when you need something quick and easy.”
One retail spot remains vacant in the Cronkite building, and 3,600 square feet of space for three to four tenants remains available at Taylor Mall as well.
Senior Vice President for Capstone Development Chad Izmirian said the new Chinese restaurant, which currently does not have a name, will be a great addition to the Downtown campus.
“A Chinese restaurant will fit in great with the mix that’s being created with the food options that are available in the dining hall at Taylor Place and the new food venues at the Cronkite building,” Izmirian said.
The Chinese restaurant could be open by the end of the spring semester, but more likely by early summer, he said.
Other projects at the Downtown campus include the five-story facility for the College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation, on track for completion for fall 2009, a new student union at the current post office on Central Avenue and the completion of the civic space in March.
Reach the reporter at snrodri2@asu.edu.
