Elon University trustees have approved plans for a major new student housing complex, with construction beginning this summer. Details...
The trustee action at the board’s spring meeting, held on campus April 15-16, authorizes administrators to proceed with final design and financing for the project.
The new complex housing 500 students is planned for 13.5 acres west of Williamson Avenue, the current site of the Jordan Center housing complex.
Under the plan, the residential units will be built in two phases, with the first buildings opening in early 2006. At that time, Jordan Center residents will move into the new buildings and Jordan Center will be demolished, making room for the remaining buildings which will open in fall 2006. Jordan Center was built in 1980 and was originally intended to be a temporary housing facility.
Design for the new housing complex includes 6-8 residential units plus a clubhouse. The apartment configurations include units with two single bedrooms, two baths, a living room and kitchen; and units with four single bedrooms, two baths, a living room and kitchen. All units include furniture, with washers and dryers and full access to the campus computer network.
The clubhouse is designed to include a living room, meeting rooms, a community kitchen and offices. The site plan also includes a total of 700 parking spaces, an outdoor basketball court and a picnic area.
The new construction is in response to a growing demand for on-campus housing by Elon students, especially juniors and seniors. “These new single-bedroom apartments will be very popular because they are just a short distance from all our major campus resources,” said President Leo M. Lambert. “Students love being close to the library, Koury Center, Moseley Center and dining facilities. It gives them convenient access to all the campus has to offer.”
Elon currently provides housing for 2,670 students. When this complex is completed, plans are to continue to expand housing with new units near the Ernest A. Koury Sr. Business Center, which is under construction north of McMichael Science Center. Plans are also being considered to expand housing for fraternities and sororities and to upgrade existing residence halls creating more single-bedroom facilities and community spaces.