Students participate in a groundbreaking ceremony at the University of Houston on October 19, 2026, in Houston, Texas. | Celene Boureslan/The Cougar
Auxiliary Services gave a first look at the campus’s new Dining Commons during its groundbreaking ceremony on Oct. 19. Construction is underway on Lynn Eusan Park for a new 64,000-square-foot dining facility to replace the Moody Towers’ Dining Commons.
The groundbreaking ceremony celebrated this milestone with an interactive, student-centered event featuring food, music and engagement activities, said Interim Executive Director of Auxiliary Services DaNesha Allen.
“Dining is a place where we focus on belonging and really creating a great experience for our students,” Allen said. “One of the ways we’re able to do that is by creating facilities that really complement and accommodate everyone.”
The event featured four renderings of the new dining commons, two of which showcased the exterior of the building, while the other two featured the interior design of the cafeteria and seating areas.
The building’s exterior is white, contains numerous clear windows and is surrounded by several light bulbs. The cafeterias feature a color scheme of brown and red, with brown tables and red seats.
It’s important to note that these renderings are not final versions but serve solely as a preview of what the project may look like, said Director of Auxiliary Services Matt Oltremari.
The new facility will have multiple dining stations, including one to accommodate students with allergens and dietary restrictions and a multifunctional space for dining and studying, Allen said.
Students liked the gatherings, saying that the new design looks modern and polished. They also said that they were looking forward to having more dining options.
“Both the dining halls have repetitive menus that they rotate throughout, so it kind of gets tiring after you’ve eaten there for a while,” said biology sophomore Dillan Dang. “I feel like having another option to go to and eat provides a new perspective.”
During the event, the University’s business partners, Coca-Cola and Monster, as well as UH Dining Services, provided food and beverages for students, faculty and staff.
The event also featured a sandpit where attendees could pick up shovels, helmets and aprons to take photos and play in the sand.
Students living in the Cougar Villages said that they are looking forward to a new dining commons that is closer to where they live and operates 24/7.
“I’m excited for a new campus dining hall, especially one closer to the Cougar Villages,” said political science freshman Elijah Thomson. “The Moody Towers’ Dining Commons is also really close, but I hate that it closes at certain times, so hopefully this new one operates for 24 hours and is closer.”
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