Contractors for the new Observatory Hill Residence Hall officially received permission Friday to begin construction, according to Wendy Steesy, senior project manager of University Facilities Management.
C. A. "Sack" Johannesmeyer, director of facilities planning and construction, said the actual groundbreaking has not occurred yet; however, fences and other preparations have already been assembled.
Steesy said she does not know when any larger-scale, more physical construction will begin.
Konover Construction Corporation and JSA Architects of Silver Spring, Md. were recently selected to build and aid in the design of the new residence hall.
University graduate Jamie Karn, of JSA Architects, said the residence hall's design is "an effort to improve the whole new dorm area."
The new residence hall is expected to house students starting in fall 2008.
The design is "transitional between traditional and contemporary," Karn said. "It uses materials and colors that fit the tradition of the University but in an innovative composition."
Karn said the residence hall will house about 200 students.
"It's going to be a nice facility, similar to Woody and Cauthen," Steesy said.
The residence hall, according to a University Housing Division project outline, will stand five stories tall. The first floor will have multi-purpose rooms, study space, a large lounge area and laundry facilities for residents. In addition to bedrooms and bathrooms, each of the upper four floors will have a central lounge and study space.
This residence hall and other planned renovations in the Alderman Road area will require new utility infrastructure. A staging area in the grass next to Observatory Hill Dining Hall will support this utility work for the duration of the projects, according to the plan.
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