Groundbreaking set for new dormitory

Groundbreaking for a new residence hall is scheduled to begin July 1 with a grand opening in August 2013.

The dormitory is being built to accommodate freshmen and possibly sophomores who are required by Winston-Salem State to stay on campus during  their first two years.

Nearly 800 students are anticipated to enter into WSSU in fall 2013. 

 "That [enrollment size] creates the potential for a lagerhead or jam that would be difficult for us to get out of without additional housing that is designated for freshmen and sophomore residents," said Trae Cotton, vice chancellor of Student Affairs. 

The resident hall is part of a plan to increase the freshmen and sophomore bed count by 500 within six to eight years.  The dorm will add approximately 200 beds to that number once completed.

According to the proposed design, the building will sit between Moore Hall and the S.G. Atkins house. 

"We hope that through construction and renovation to create an upper mostly first-year housing village that will house the entire freshman class as well as some sophomore housing," said Peter Blutreich, assistant director and interim director for Housing and Residence Life.

The dorm will consist of two towers, one containing three floors and the second containing four floors. 

Each floor will be separated into two sections known as "pods." 

Each pod will contain 16 rooms with each room being able to accommodate two students and will have desks, beds, closets and dressers. 

Each pod will have a community bathroom with three sinks, toilets and showers, and a community kitchenette. 

Other options include a living room for each floor equipped with a television and furniture, and a laundry area for each pod. 

Cotton said he also wants to add options such as card swipe access to pod rooms and possibly a mini fridge rental system for each student.

Plans have not been finalized, according to Cotton. 

"We have a finite amount of money that we have to spend on the project, and as a result of that some of the things that we may want may not go into the project," Cotton said.

"If money were not an option, then these things will get done."

Cotton says that he cannot discuss exactly how much the project will cost. But he said the construction costs are  estimated at more than $10 million.

Cotton said he anticipates that when the construction management team is hired, plans for the new hall will be finalized in the latter part of May, to make the July 1 groundbreaking deadline. 

"We are fairly certain about the location. The general style is pretty much set. We are really down to the some of the smaller fine detailed oriented things that could change the cost," Cotton said.