Board of Curators approves new residence hall construction

The plan includes renovated classrooms and a new parking garage.

By Jaryd Wilson

Published April 13, 2007

Students hoping for an end to construction around campus will have to wait a few more years.

The latest draft of the MU Campus Master Plan shows that though some projects are already under construction, others are still in the planning phase.

The plan, updated annually, was released on April 1. The plan revealed that most enrolled students will graduate before all the construction outlined is completed.

One of the major projects under construction is the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute. According to Campus Facilities spokesman Phil Shocklee, the project will include renovation and the construction of an addition.

"We are renovating the old Sociology Building and part of Walter Williams Hall and have a new facility connecting the two," Shocklee said.

The old Sociology Building was vacant before the construction began. Shocklee said additions to the MU School of Journalism would include a technology center, a journalism library, administrative offices and graduate studies programs. The completion date is set for April 2008.

Construction materials for the projects are being stored at the north end of Francis Quadrangle, a prominent site for student activity and visible from the entire Quad. Shocklee said there were no other options.

"We are very protective of Francis Quadrangle, and it will be fully restored upon completion of the project," Shocklee said.

The Brady Commons expansion and renovation is another major project but contracting bids coming in over budget forced the planning committee to split it into two separate projects.

"Phase one is the expansion of the student center to the east, near Hitt Street, and phase two is the renovation of the existing facility," Shocklee said.

Shocklee said funding for the project will come from student fees, as well as the bookstore. Phase one will be completed in the summer of 2008, and the entire project is set to be completed in late 2010. The renovation will include additional student clubs and organization space, student government space, study and lounge space, an arts and media center, late-night programming alternatives, and expanded space for student services offices.

Several residence hall projects are also part of the plan. Mid-Campus Housing is underway with the demolition of Baker-Park and Gardner-Hyde residence halls to make room for the new facilities. The UM system Board of Curators approved the construction firm and architect April 6, and the new complex will house 526 beds.

Residential Life Director Frankie Minor said the process of designing and finding a contractor for Mid-Campus is different than the process Residential Life has used for any other construction on campus.

"We've taken the drawings and developed about 50 percent of them," Minor said. "But with this delivery system, the consulting team has both an architect and a construction firm to not only help finish the other 50 percent of the drawings but to build the structure as well."

Minor said Mid-Campus housing would be primarily a community-based residence hall rather than a suite-style hall.

"There will be a few suites here and there," Minor said. "But we've found that building a community is harder with suite-style halls because residents don't have to leave their rooms to use the bathroom, and new safety features require the doors have door closers on them."

Minor said there would be less competition over showers and lounge space in Mid-Campus Housing.

"We are reducing the density in these halls so students don't have to compete with 20 other people for a shower," Minor said. "There are going to be more bathrooms and lounge areas, but there is still going to be a standard hallway like the rest of our community halls have."

Minor said 92 percent of the revenue that is generated by Residential Life comes from the money students spend to live in the residence halls. Residential Life funds these renovations and additions from that money.

"We are always listening to what students want because they are our main source of revenue," Minor said.

Part of the Mid-Campus project is to build a connecting structure between Defoe and Graham residence halls as well as renovate them. This structure will house offices on the lower level and suites on the upper level. Mid-Campus housing will cost about $58 million and is expected to be completed in April 2009.

Other halls being renovated are Hatch and Schurz residence halls as well as Bingham Hall that connects the two. Minor said the buildings are being modified to be more accessible for people with disabilities. Air conditioning, more windows and more lounge space will also be added. As a result, 27 beds will be removed from each residence hall. The entire project will cost approximately $40.4 million. Hatch residence hall will re-open this fall and Schurz residence hall will re-open in fall 2008.

These residence hall projects are part of a five-phase plan to renovate many of the residence halls on campus by 2018. These buildings include Hudson, Gillett, Cramer, Stafford, Wolpers, Johnston, Mark Twain and Laws residence halls.

"The reason we are renovating these instead of tearing them down and building new ones is because the cost is not as high and students like the design," Minor said.

Other buildings that are part of the Campus Master Plan are Thomas and Nell Lafferre Hall — also known as Engineering East - Schweitzer Hall and a new parking garage. Shocklee said Lafferre Hall will have a $20.9 million addition on the south side and Schweitzer Hall will have a $10 million renovation and addition to the south. The parking garage will be located in Southeast Gateway where University Terrace is. The terrace will be demolished this summer.

The campus plan will continue to be updated as the projects progress, Campus Facilities Assistant Vice Chancellor Gary Ward said.

"It is marked as 'draft,' indicating that at any given time it could change, reflecting updated information," Ward said.

He said the Campus Master Plan could change if grants or private donations surface.

"A comprehensive and updated Campus Master Plan is essential if we are to continue being a proactive institute of higher education," Ward said.