Construction site work for a new 320-bed living-learning community student residence hall has started. This five-story residence hall, located at the corner of N. Virginia Street and College Drive, will meet the increased demand for on-campus student housing and increased interest in living-learning residential options. It is scheduled for completion in time for the fall semester 2012.
Living-learning communities are designed to integrate student learning with on-campus residential living, helping students make connections and develop friendships with those who have similar academic interests. The University currently offers six living-learning communities, double the number available the previous year. These designated wings or areas within the Argenta and Nye Halls include places for group study and activities.
Living-learning residence halls further integrate student learning with residential living by incorporating classrooms and faculty offices into the facility. In the University’s new Living-Learning Community Residence Hall, the ground floor will have four classrooms and faculty offices. Each of the four residential floors will be designed to include lounges for study, meetings and programs. The entire facility will provide an academically rich residential setting that fosters faculty participation and includes cultural programs, academic advising, mentoring and on-site classes, all in the same building.
Construction of the $35 million residence hall will be funded through residence hall fee income, although other revenue sources may go toward funding of the academic portion of the building which will include four classrooms. Financing for the project was approved by the Nevada Board of Regents at their December 2010 meeting.
West Coast Contractors has been selected as general contractor for the project following an open bidding process. Collaborative Design Studio is the architect. The environmentally sensitive project will be built to LEED standards and is scheduled for completion in time for the fall semester 2012. Parking for student residents during and after construction will be available in the Sierra Street Parking Complex, which was designed and built to accommodate parking needs for an additional future residence hall.
Great news! Downtown just needs to find ways to get more students downtown. Reno could be a sweet college town as more and more people are coming to UNR from places outside of Northern Nevada. As a current dorm resident it seems as though most students are from Northern California and Vegas. Will all these people living in a dense environments there needs to be much more entertainment options near campus.