WESTFIELD — Faculty, alumni and students gathered at Parenzo Hall earlier this month to celebrate renovations that made one of Westfield State University’s oldest buildings a home to its newest spaces and initiatives.
The total cost to renovate it was $40 million. Half came from a state grant and half from the school.
The building was extremely old and had “no capacity to keep up with technology and learning styles,” said Maureen Socha, the university’s associate vice president of facilities and capital planning. The renovation process affected the whole building, she said, with all the walls and heating systems taken down. The only thing not new is the outside structure and frame.
The first floor of the renovated building, she said, is a “one-stop shop” for student support services, while the second floor has classrooms and faculty offices. As well, there are added spaces…
