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An artist's conception of the new residence hall at UIS, seen from the southwest. |
SPRINGFIELD -- The design for a new 200-bed residence hall at the University of Illinois at Springfield was approved today by U of I Board of Trustees during the board's regular meeting in Urbana.
The 61,984 gross-square-foot structure will also house a bookstore to serve the entire campus, a grille that will seat 48-60 offering food service to the entire campus, and classroom facilities.
"UIS is in a dynamic period of growth as we enroll more freshmen and continue to build campus and residential life," said UIS Chancellor Richard Ringeisen. "This new residence hall symbolizes that growth and UIS' emergence as an exceptional small public liberal arts university."
Ringeisen noted that nearly 900 students now live on campus, in Lincoln Residence Hall and in several townhouses and apartment complexes. "We are experiencing a greater demand for on-campus housing, so this new residence hall will help meet that demand," he said.
The new three-story L-shaped residence hall will form a courtyard with Lincoln Residence Hall to the east and will complement the architecture of the existing hall. The new hall is bordered on the west by Eliza Farnham Drive and on the north by Vachel Lindsay Drive.
Designed by the Chicago-based firm of Loebl Schlossman Hackl Architects, Inc., the structure will comprise 22 single occupancy units, 84 double occupancy units, and six ADA accessible suites as well as five resident assistant suites and an apartment for the resident director. Each wing will also include a residents' lounge area, complete with galley-style kitchen.
Located on the ground floor of the building's north wing will be a 2,000-square-foot grille area and 4,000-square-foot bookstore as well as a multipurpose classroom space of more than 2,500 square feet.
"The new hall will have materials and forms similar to those of Lincoln Residence Hall, including matching brick, stone accents, and partial sloped roofs in select areas," according to Dave Barrows, UIS executive director of facilities and services.
He said construction is expected to be complete for the beginning of the fall 2008 semester. Projected cost is $15.8 million and will be funded with auxiliary services bond sales.
