In a recurring trend, the Union construction has again been delayed, but it is not expected to affect the April 2011 completion date.The completion of Phase I has been moved from the post Mardi Gras break completion date to an expected mid-April completion.Constructing the three exits of the Live Oak Lounge — one of the major components of Phase I — caused the current delay. Building sidewalks, polishing off walls and drainage work were causes for the exits delay, according to Ken Bueche, Union associate director. The three exits — the southeast, southwest and the corridor between McDonald’s and the bookstore — still require a lot of work.The southeast exit, facing Highland Road, is expected to be completed first. It needs the most work done including installing glass and multiple interior finishes. The corridor exit is reliant upon the completion of the theatre construction. The southwest exit, currently the staging area housing the trucks and machines, may pose a problem as an entrance and exit.”Normally that would not be an acceptable means of egress for people to get out,” Union Director Shirley Plakidas said. “But given the circumstances of the way the building is situated,  they’re hoping that the fire marshal will consider this as an exit even if it can’t be used as an entrance.”With Phase I — the southeast addition — running behind schedule, the construction of Phase II — the food service project — is also delayed. The Tiger Lair will now be open through the fall 2009 semester and is expected to close in the spring of 2010. The construction for the food service on the main floor, which will include McDonald’s and Einstein Bagel, will begin in December and open the following spring.Because students develop eating habits in the beginning of the fall semester, closing the Tiger Lair in the middle of the semester without the completion of the main floor food services is not an option, according to Plakidas.”We work around blocks of time,” Plakidas said. “August through December is not a time that we want the food court under renovation.”Once construction of the food services on the main floor begins, construction workers will have five months to complete the project, according to Union officials. While the Tiger Lair is closed, a temporary setup will be put in the space that will eventually be the billiards area — near the Live Oak Lounge — with the same type of food and the same hours as the Tiger Lair. McDonald’s and Einstein Bagel are expected to have extended hours to better serve students.In addition to the new eateries, the post office will soon be under construction. During the Mardi Gras break the post office will be moved to temporary trailers between the faculty club and the Paul M. Hebert Law Center. Union officials expect the post office to remain in the trailers for at least a year.Though the construction has been delayed, it will not cost students more money. The Union construction fee gradually rose each semester from $60 initially which was supported by students, to $89 which will be implemented in fall 2009, and was not approved by students. The increase was due to Hurricane Katrina and was phased into student fees. The $89 fee is fixed, meaning the price will not change but will continue to appear on students’ fee bills until the construction is complete.Student Government President Colorado Robertson said he believes the Union will provide a great service when it is completed, and more could be done to get the project finished.”The original proposed construction timeline has been a complete failure because of the delays,” Robertson said.—-Contact Alice Womble at [email protected]