Millersville, Pa. — The first phase will deliver 709 beds in two buildings by fall 2014.
Rendering of the new halls at MU.Millersville, Pa. — Work is underway on the first phase of new living-learning communities on the Millersville University of Pennsylvania campus. The official groundbreaking ceremony, which will include a beam signing, will be held Sept. 11. The first phase will be complete by fall 2014 and will include 709 beds in two buildings. This is part of a $180 million public-private partnership, in which the university will manage the properties that are being developed by Ambling University Development Group (AUDG). Student Services Inc., a non-profit organization managed by the university, will own the buildings.
Crews began demolishing a parking lot on the south end of the residential quad of campus following the spring commencement in May to prepare for the construction. Phase one includes 188,272 square feet and will be 267 units with a mix of single and double occupancy semi-suites and full suites. The project is being financed through tax-exempt bonds issued by Student Services, Inc. AUDG is managing the project and the development team, which includes Benchmark Construction and Lord, Aeck and Sargent Architects.
“Each wing of the community was closely coordinated to create living clusters which range from 24 to 44 resident beds around a centrally located resident assistant (RA),” said Jeremy Doss, vice president at Ambling. “Each of the clusters has a unique unit mix and bed capacity and allow for maximum flexibility in accommodating varying types of living/learning communities.”
Highlights include central points of access into the community with adjacent reception desks, multiple electronic access control points and camera monitoring. Phase one includes a 150-person Great Room which overlooks the South Quad, recreation rooms, community kitchen, laundry rooms with adjacent lounges as well as central gathering lounges with separate meeting rooms on each floor.
Hobbs Hall will be demolished during this phase.