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WATCH THE CONSTRUCTION ON THE NEW WEBCAM!
Edinboro University President Jeremy D. Brown officially unveiled the University's plans for launching an unprecedented $115 million student housing and dining project. The $105 million two-phase suite and semi-suite residential complex, combined with the proposed new $10 million student dining facility, represents the largest single development undertaken in Edinboro's 150-year history, Dr. Brown said, as well as one of the largest economic development projects ever in northwestern Pennsylvania. University officials expect that the first of the 1,598-bed project's new suite units within the eight-building housing configuration will be ready for occupancy in 2009. It is anticipated the entire project will be completed by 2011. It means many of today's incoming freshman students will be among the first to experience on-campus apartment-style living. It was also announced the new buildings will derive much of their energy needs using the latest energy-saving geothermal technology, resulting in significant cost savings. "This is an extraordinary day for the entire Edinboro Family," Dr. Brown declared during a news conference announcing the scope of the multi-building housing project and proposed dining hall. "It is especially welcome news for our resident students. This project represents the first new residence halls on campus in more than three decades. This is more viable proof that great things happen here - and they will indeed continue to happen!" Dr. Brown said the large-scale development will not only provide residential students with options to occupy the most modern, state-of-the art campus housing in Pennsylvania, but give them what they have come to expect in suite-style living, with many amenities of home. "Today's sophisticated students expect more than the cramped room, dormitory-style housing that became the model of the last century," he said. "Today's students want housing conducive to their new academic setting that provides similar comforts they enjoyed in their homes. Perhaps the best aspect of the project," Dr. Brown added, "is that it won't cost Pennsylvania taxpayers one dollar!" Containing more than a half-million square feet of living space, the housing complex with double and single occupancy rooms, private bath facilities and common living areas, will be funded by project revenue bonds to be retired through student housing rents, which are yet to be determined. Situated along the easternmost boundary of Edinboro University, the new housing development will significantly change the face of the 585-acre campus by replacing three outmoded residence halls: Shafer Hall (1968), Scranton Hall (1968), and Lawrence Towers (1974). All three were named after former Pennsylvania governors. It is expected that Shafer Hall, closed since spring 2006, will be demolished later this month, with construction of the first new housing facilities getting underway a short time later. When the four-building, nearly 800-bed Phase I is complete, Scranton Hall will be demolished to make way for Phase II. The twin Lawrence Towers buildings will not be demolished until Phase II is complete. Combined with the recently renovated Dearborn, Earp and Rose residence halls, the new project will maintain modern, fully Internet-accessible on-campus housing accommodations for about 2,500 students. The new food service facility has not yet been contracted. However, tentative plans call for its construction concurrent with Phase II of the housing project. The facility will present students with a diverse "food court" dining environment with the capability to accommodate large meetings, seminars and conventions. Once the new food service building is completed, Van Houten Dining Hall, located nearby, will be converted to large classrooms, University officials said. The housing initiative was created under the authority and supervision of the Edinboro University Foundation, a private, non-profit entity established to help develop and adequately fund University scholarships and projects for the benefit of the University. When completed, the Foundation will maintain project ownership for 30 years, while contracting with the University to manage the student residence complex. As project developer, American Campus Communities of Austin, Texas, is one of the nation's largest developers, owners and managers of high-quality student housing communities, having developed more than $1 billion in properties since 1996. "It is an honor to work with both Edinboro University and the Edinboro Foundation on such a prestigious development," said American Campus Communities CFO Nickel. "This project will offer high-quality, modern student housing for the Edinboro University campus that will not only rival contemporary student housing in Pennsylvania, but across the nation as well." Following a comprehensive bidding process that resulted in the Foundation's selection of American Campus Communities as the project's third-party developer, the firm assembled a high-caliber design, financing and contracting team for ACC's first development within the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. The team includes Weber Murphy Fox Architects of Erie (project architects), GPS Construction Services, Inc. of Williamsville, New York (general contractor), and the financial expertise of RBC Capital Markets of Columbus, Ohio. The phased-in construction/implementation plan will allow Edinboro University to replace existing housing with minimal, if any, impact to current housing capacity. Noting Edinboro's reputation as one of the nation's top disability-accessible schools, President Brown said developers will place special emphasis on creating new accessible housing communities for students with disabilities, as well as common-area features to support living-learning programs within the residential environment. With architecture designed to create an east campus "gateway" presence along Perry Lane, the complex will be among the nation's most energy efficient, deriving natural energy resources from the latest geothermal technology. Such technology utilizes heat pumps operating from 50, 300-foot deep wells per building. Large lounge/game room areas, kitchens, multi-purpose meeting rooms, central laundries, reception areas, offices and business centers will be featured in each building. Outdoor amenities such as barbeque areas, basketball half courts and pedestrian pathways will add to the ambiance of the complex. Housing units, whether suite or semi-suite, single or double sleeping rooms, will range in size from about 600 square feet to slightly over 1,000 square feet. Student rental rates per unit will be assessed on whether students select single or double sleeping accommodations, and further based upon the type and size of the unit selected. "Students will have the choice of the kind of housing they want," President Brown said. "Providing students with multiple housing options is one of the great things happening here. It represents one more component of excellence that makes Edinboro University an easy choice for all students seeking to fulfill their aspirations at the largest and most comprehensive institution of higher education in northwestern Pennsylvania."
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