Construction will begin today on a 39-foot tall dome that will serve as an interim dining pavilion once the USC Commons building is demolished.

The 18,000-square-foot facility will be located on what is now parking lot K2 on Downey Way between Watt Way and McClintock Avenue.

Demolition of the Commons building and Topping Student Center will begin the week of May 19, right after Commencement. The new Ronald Tutor Campus Center, a pair of four-story structures, will rise on the site. The new center will include many dining options, including cafes and a full-service restaurant.

The temporary pavilion could be completed as early as the end of July, said Scott Shuttleworth, director of Trojan Hospitality. It will include the amenities and services offered at the current Commons, including varied dining options and a convenience store. Seating accommodations will include 440 seats inside and 140 seats outdoors.

Some of the Commons’ current food vendors will continue at the pavilion, to be joined by other “exciting new concepts,” Shuttleworth said. The vendors, whose names will be released shortly, represent offerings of Italian, Mexican and Asian food as well as burgers, sandwiches, yogurt and coffee.

“We are confident that our students, their parents, alumni and guests will see this interim dining pavilion as a wonderful addition to campus life,” Shuttleworth said. “This temporary dining facility will rival that of many permanent dining facilities at universities across the country.”