University searching for architect, designing new res halls, garage

by Jeff Bendix

CWRU trustees have given approval for the University to begin fulfilling a key element of its master plan-construction of new residence halls and a parking garage.

In a January meeting, the Board of Trustees' Executive Committee gave the go-ahead to a $34.4 million "project in concept" for the first phase of the plan to build new residence halls and an adjacent 830-car parking garage on the North Campus. Approval of a project in concept authorizes CWRU to begin the search for an architect, proceed with design and financial planning and begin raising funds for the project.

"This is a very exciting development," said Ken Kutina, vice president of institutional planning. "It allows us to begin realizing a project which, when completed, will have a major impact on the appearance of our campus as well as undergraduate student life."

The project also includes replacing the varsity locker facilities at Finnegan Field. Locker rooms for athletic teams will be incorporated into the new residence halls, Kutina said.

The University's master plan, adopted in May 2001, calls for housing all undergraduates in a "residential village" near Finnegan Field. Phase I covers construction of halls housing about 450 new beds at the southwest end of Finnegan and the parking garage. It also involves renovating several nearby apartment buildings, which will become part of the residential village.

Housing all undergraduates together also is one of the principal recommendations of the President's Commission on Undergraduate Education and Life, which was issued in 2001.

The University has hired the consulting firm Biddison-Hier to help decide on questions such as amenities and mix of room types in the residential village.

A national search for a design architect also is underway. That process is expected to be completed in April, Kutina said.

Design should be finished and construction begin in the spring of 2003, with completion slated for summer of 2004.

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