Construction of the new 754-bed residence hall at the University of Memphis is estimated to reach completion before the fall semester starts, according to campus planning administrators.
The project calls for Richardson Towers on Central Ave. to be imploded shortly after the new building is constructed. The new residence hall will feature modern amenities and larger rooms complete with new furnishings.
“Every building has a life span and the old Richardson Towers is no exception,” Phillip Poteet, VP for campus planning and design said when asked why the construction of a new residence hall was necessary.
“It was a much better choice to build a more suitable residence hall with better amenities than to invest in the old building that is falling apart.”
Construction of the unnamed residence hall began late last year after focus groups with students were held to figure out what they would want in a new dormitory. The construction site lays just south of the existing building in a parking lot boarded by Central Avenue.
“The focus groups were held in order to make sure the building was built first and foremost with the students needs and wants in mind,” Poteet said.
The project is estimated to cost a total of $53 million and house over 700 students. The existing building is currently the largest residence hall on campus, housing just over 1,000 students.
“It’s not the exact same capacity as Richardson Towers but it will be a much better environment for the students and be a better type of community,” he said.
Students were able to apply for housing in the new building beginning on Feb. 1st. Those who currently live in Richardson Towers were able to apply for a room first.
“For the most part I’m excited to go to the new building because the old building is kind of old and you can’t lock the doors in the bathroom,” Cavon Godwin, a freshman computer sciences major and resident of the building said.
The residence hall is just one of the several new student housing facilities planned or under construction at the state’s public universities. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville recently finished construction on its first new residence hall in 40 years.
Poteet said the U of M’s new residence hall will be similar to the atmosphere of the Living and Learning Complex dormitory on campus, and will offer more opportunities for students with the same major to study and work together.
“It’s just what the university thought would be better for the students,” he said. “It’s going to be a great project.”
Originally built in 1967 during the tenure of University President Cecil C. Humphreys, Richardson Towers was named after Dr. John Richardson who served as interim president for two years in the 1960s. Richardson, who was a life long educator at multiple levels passed away in 2006
