CORRECTION: In a previous version of this article, the time when plans to relocate CitrusTV’s studios was misstated. Plans to relocate began in fall 2010 under Brad Slavin’s predecessors. The Daily Orange regrets this error.

After months of planning and renovations, CitrusTV and WJPZ-Z89 have officially opened new studios in Watson Hall.

CitrusTV’s plans for relocation began in fall 2010 but was stalled. The project began again after Brad Slavin, former CitrusTV general manager, met with Chancellor Nancy Cantor last May. After receiving the chancellor’s full support, CitrusTV commenced its renovations in Watson in the space formerly owned by FoodWorks, said Slavin, a junior television, radio and film, information technology and management major.

“We worked with [the Office of Campus Planning Design and Construction] to refine a floor plan that would best use the space for both us and WJPZ,” Slavin said. “The floor plan went through countless revisions, but we feel the plan we pursued was one that maximized the space for both organizations.”

The original deadline was set for fall 2012, but due to ongoing construction the deadline was pushed to the beginning of the spring 2013 semester, he said.

“Despite the long transitional phase, our members have continued to give their all 100 percent of the time,” said current CitrusTV General Manager Katelyn Muldowney in an email. “We’ve just been constantly reminding ourselves of the end result: a beautiful new space to work and produce our content in.”

Though the renovated studios are officially open, CitrusTV has not yet resumed its operations there. The station will resume regular hours of operation starting Feb. 10, Muldowney said. Until then, CitrusTV is installing the majority of its technical equipment and preparing to resume broadcasting, she said.

Z89 worked in conjunction with CitrusTV to plan the renovations, and has completely installed its new studios in Watson, said Corey Crockett, Z89 general manager and sophomore broadcast and digital journalism major. Their first broadcast out of the new studio was held on Jan. 12, he said.

“Before the renovations, we were a small station that had a lot of influence at SU with studios that didn’t necessarily reflect that,” Crockett said. “Now, we have a studio where people can really do their work and do it well.”

CitrusTV and Z89’s move marks the first major construction effort in campus history to be led by a student organization, said Slavin, the former CitrusTV general manager. CitrusTV spent the last two years updating its broadcast to high-definition resolution and is now considering updating its main set, he said.

CitrusTV has operated out of Watson since its creation in 1972, but operated in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications while renovations occurred in its regular facility.

“CitrusTV’s mission is to provide experiential hands-on learning opportunities for students, and to provide meaningful content to the SU community,” Slavin said. “With our newly expanded facilities, we will be able to better accomplish both of these tasks.”

With nearly 300 members involved with CitrusTV, the new space will allow students to have an even more hands-on experience, said Muldowney, the current general manager. Because of the improved equipment and larger space, viewers can expect an upgrade to the quality of editing and graphics within the content, she said.

The newly renovated space is almost double the size of the temporary Newhouse studio. It features a larger newsroom, additional editing suites, an audio booth and updated technology, said Muldowney.

“Our new space is beautiful and provides us with the opportunity to do so much more than what we were capable of before,” Muldowney said. “It’s a very exciting time for us at CitrusTV, and we are so thankful to all of the people who helped make this happen.

Published on January 16, 2013 at 1:24 am

Contact Annie: apalme05@syr.edu