Photo by Clark McCaskill

Clark McCaskill/The Daily Students enjoy the renovations made Wednesday evening in the new Couch Restaurants.

OU Housing and Food Services is now in phase two of its renovation of Couch Cafeteria, with the aim of creating a more comfortable dining atmosphere.

Phase two of the construction, which includes the north side of the building, will receive the same treatment as the earlier phase, said Lauren Royston, Housing and Food Services spokeswoman.

Mini-LCD TV’s and a projection-style entertainment area will be added by the seating area in the north side to create a more welcoming space, she said.

The cafeteria’s new look has made an impact on some students.

“Students walk in the door, look around and say ‘Oh my God,’” said Gabbrieal Cooley, cafeteria cashier and computer engineering freshman.

Cooley, who has worked in the cafeteria since the fall, is witnessing the transformations daily. Cooley said the new restaurants also add an element of diversity.

“It’s really cool to have more cultures represented,” she said.

Joel Shackleford, political science sophomore, transferred to OU this semester. He didn’t get a chance to see the building before the renovations began, but said the environment is better than others he’s seen.

“This doesn’t seem like an old school cafeteria,” he said.

The north end of the building is blocked off, making some restaurants inaccessible, but their food is still available in the cafeteria, Royston said. Seating is limited to diners because of the blocked off area.

Renovations are expected to be complete by this fall. The Daily made repeated requests with OU Housing and Food Services for current budget information, but none were given. An estimate from November was approximately $10 million.

Phase three of the renovations will begin this summer. The middle part of the building will be renovated and several self-service stations will be added, Royston said. Utility and service areas will be added this summer.

Phase one:

Completed in December, it added new tables, chairs, booths, flooring, wall coverings, cubbies and four new restaurants.

New Restaurants:

Include a stir-fry station, barbecue smokehouse, Tex-Mex restaurant and breakfast bistro.