More student housing is underway
CCU broke ground Jan 24 on an $85 million residence facility that will house 1,270 freshman students.
The four-building facility marks a new direction in student living, with residence halls arranged in “communities” of four suites grouped around a common social space. Each building will have its own community wing with a lounge, laundry, an office/apartment for the resident director, workrooms and a recycling center. The main building, or "head house," will offer conference rooms, a convenience store, kitchen and other multipurpose spaces.
Debbie Conner, vice president of Student Affairs at CCU, describes the project as “state-of-the-art living communities that will be tied to the overall student learning experience.”
Designed by Quackenbush Architects and Planners, the buildings will be constructed in three phases. The first two buildings are expected to be ready for occupancy in the summer of 2015, and the entire project will be finished in 2016. The architectural design of the complex will compliment the traditional Southern classical style of the campus. The placement of the buildings on the site will allow for the development of a large green space that will accommodate two existing ponds and a stand of mature oak and maple trees. The structures will be designed to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards for sustainability.
“The increase in our bed inventory means we are built for growth, and we will be able to introduce many new aspects to our University Housing offerings,” said Stephen Harrison, director of University Housing. “University Housing seeks to create a foundation of care for resident safety and success, and today’s groundbreaking ceremony marks a huge leap forward in our efforts to make that vision a reality.”
The groundbreakers at the ceremony, all wielding teal shovels, were CCU President David DeCenzo; Board of Trustees Chairman Wyatt Henderson; Provost Ralph Byington; Debbie Conner; Stephen Harrison; Harry Titus, student president of CCU’s Residence Hall Association; Shawn Godwin, CCU project manager; architect Doug Quackenbush; and Ryan Reynolds of HG Reynolds, building contractor.
