CORVALLIS — The west side remodel of Reser Stadium, expected to be the most expensive construction project in Oregon State University history, formally began to take shape Tuesday.

Oregon State is looking for proposals from a facility development program specialist to provide oversight for renovation, expansion and new construction of Reser Stadium’s west side.

The university is accepting consultants’ bids for a remodeling project expected to run some $175 million, through Nov. 5.

Retooling Reser began in 2005, when the east side was completely remodeled, followed 10 years later by reconstruction of the Valley Football Center, which overlooks the north end of the stadium.

The last piece is the stadium’s west side, originally built in 1953. The west side currently seats 16,160 for events. Reser Stadium’s capacity is 43,154.

According to the document, OSU would like to begin the construction project by December 2021, with completion by July 2023 for areas that impact football, and non-football areas finished by December 2023. Oregon State’s current home opener for 2023 is UC Davis on Sept. 9. The Beavers open the 2023 season at Boise State on Sept. 2.

Among the goals of the remodel is to provide year-round usage of the stadium through a public-private partnership. Landing a private partner remains in the development stage.

Upgrades for the west side and other areas of the stadium include:

• Reduction in seating capacity

• Enhanced scoreboard

• Improved fan experience, and to include a continuous main concourse with the rest of the stadium

• Upgraded concession and restroom facilities

• Repurpose areas of east side that are underutilized, with intention to add more high-end seating areas

• More premium spaces and founder’s suites

• New press box

• New visitor’s locker room (currently in Gill Coliseum)

• Additional space for use in a public-private partnership with year-round usage

-- Nick Daschel | ndaschel@oregonian.com | @nickdaschel

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