The three residence halls on South Green will likely be demolished in the summer in order to make space for new residence halls to be built in the future.
Three residence halls on Ohio University’s campus could be demolished as soon as this summer as part of the university’s long-term plan to revamp dormitories on South Green.
If the Board of Trustees approves the request at its Jan 22. meeting, Cady Hall, Foster House and Brough House, all on South Green, will be torn down this summer.
Tearing down the three dorms, part of Phase I of the housing plan, will cost $1.25 million, according to university documents.
Martzloff, O’Bleness, Smith, Atkinson and Ambruster Houses were originally set to be demolished as well, but the record high number of incoming students in OU’s 2014 freshman class made the univeristy alter its plans.
Construction of the new dormitories, located between Adams Hall and Ping Center, are also a part of Phase I. The new housing will provide about 900 new beds, which is more than double the amount that Cady, Foster and Brough provided, Pete Trentacoste, executive director of Residential Housing, said in an email.
“At this time, we are planning to have Smith, Atkinson and Armbruster open next year but will hold Martzolff, Weld, and O’Bleness, and Fenzel offline until we need them in the room selection process,” Trentacoste said. “We will bring those buildings back online one at a time as we have a need for space.”
Phase I includes the demolition of the three dormitories and the construction of four new dormitories on South Green. The new dorms are expected to be open Fall 2015.
“The green space created by the eventual demolition of the back south has the potential to be used for recreation fields,” Katie Quaranta, OU spokeswoman, said in an email. “At this point, however, there are no specific plans for what those fields would entail or even a timeline for consideration.”
According to university documents, the demolition of Cady, Foster and Brough will make room for Phase II of the housing plan, which includes the construction of an additional four residence halls, according to Ohio University Residential Housing’s website.
“It would be cool if they left them up so that when I come back later I could come back to see it and show people where I lived,” said Eben Flournoy, a sophomore studying anthropology and a resident in Brough House. “I know they've got new construction and everything though, so I guess it is kind of time for them to go.”
The board will also be presented with a plan to connect Bobcat Lane to Richland Avenue, which will open a direct path for vehicles to go from Richland Avenue to Baker University Center.
The plan also includes the addition of a sidewalk on the north side of Oxbow Lane near Emeriti Park.
OU is currently seeking approval of $601,000 for designs of these projects.
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