Ground-breaking announced for student housing additions

What: Ground-breaking for two new freshman-focused residence halls on Daisy Hill.

When: 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 5

Where: Lied Center Pavilion

An informal reception will follow the ground-breaking.

Guest speakers:

Jeffrey S. Vitter, provost and executive vice chancellor; Tammara Durham, vice provost for Student Affairs; Diana Robertson, director, KU Student Housing; Taylor Hanna, president, Association of University Residence Halls.

The construction plan

When complete, this $47.8 million project will combine with existing renovated residence halls to form the signature look of a residential quadrangle on Daisy Hill. The two new residence halls will be five-story buildings with 350 residents each in two- and four-person suites as well as single-occupancy suites. The connecting commons building will include a service desk, administrative offices, living room, kitchen and game room on the main level. The second story will be an academic services area, including a classroom, conference rooms (for advising, tutoring and group study), a media technology room and study areas. The commons building will be shared by all residents of Daisy Hill. The project team includes Treanor Architects, Lawrence, and contractors Weitz/BA Green, Lenexa and Lawrence.

Academic features benefit all Daisy Hill residents

The two-story academic space, the Commons, is located between the buildings to serve all Daisy Hill residents. The Commons will feature a digital production room, study spaces and classroom with Smart Board technology. The Commons also will host math and Writing Center tutoring, opportunities to collaborate with staff members from First-Year Experience, Information Technology, KU Libraries and KU Advising Center. Dining services also will operate a mini-mart serving all of Daisy Hill.

Timeline

• Ground-breaking: March 5
• In September, students may sign online contract for 2015-2016.
• Construction completion date: July 2015
• First students welcomed: August 2015
• McCollum razed: Summer 2015. McCollum’s footprint becomes a surface parking lot. Furniture and interiors will be reused, and metal materials will be reused or recycled. Masonry and concrete will be crushed for gravel fill.

See this page at the KU Student Housing website for more information.