UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Final plan approval and expenditure of funds for the next phase of the long-term initiative to renovate the East residence halls at University Park was greenlighted to proceed today (Feb. 20) by Board of Trustees Committee on Finance, Business and Capital Planning.
The proposal goes to the full board for its consideration on Feb. 21.
Phase 2b includes renovating Bigler, Curtin and Packer halls within the East Halls housing complex. As with previous phases, the facilities will receive new and efficient building systems, connection to the campus chilled water system for climate-controlled living spaces and updates to social spaces. Shared private bathrooms will also be added to the core of each floor.
Site work will include minor parking changes, accessible pedestrian circulation and landscaping. Utility improvements also will be made.
The total project budget for this phase is $82.5 million, coming mostly from self-supported borrowing and Housing and Food Services reserves.
The multiphase renovation of East Halls is part of Housing and Food Services capital plan, designed to address urgent needs due to aging facilities. The East Halls renovation, which began in 2016, is planned to be completed by 2022. Along with increasing the capacity of East Halls, these projects modernize the facilities, bringing the bedrooms, bathrooms, dining commons and shared spaces up to contemporary expectations. East Halls was built in the 1960s.
Phase 2a, which consists of renovating Sproul and Geary halls, is planned to be completed by fall 2020.