Schools
KSU Breaks Ground On New Student Housing Complex
The $26 million project will add more than 400 beds to the residential community.
Friday morning, a groundbreaking ceremony was held at to mark the first phase of construction on a $26 million student housing addition. The University Place expansion is a 207,500-square foot facility that will serve as a residential complex for upperclassmen. It is estimated to be completed in August 2012, which coincides with the 10th anniversary of the university’s first residential complex opening.
The University Place addition will consist of three buildings containing 1,282-square-foot apartments. Each apartment will consist of four-bedroom and four-bathroom units, with the completed complex adding 451 beds to the university’s residential community.
The addition will also have an outdoor amphitheater, an indoor auditorium for multipurpose use and walkway plaza connecting the complex to Kennesaw State University Road.
Find out what's happening in Kennesawwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
With the project completed, the university will house almost 3,500 beds, which would allow approximately 15 percent of the student body to live on campus.
“There are some incredible features going into this new phase,” said Michael Sanseviro, Dean of Student Success at KSU. “We are really trying to meet the needs of students and their increasing technological desires.” Sanseviro said that the completed project will feature Wi-Fi connectivity throughout the complex, as well as hard-wired Internet in each apartment unit.
Find out what's happening in Kennesawwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“Many students want the security and convenience of on-campus accommodations,” Sanseviro said. “This exciting, new development will fill the need for many upperclass students who normally would have been placed on the waiting list, which annually is closed when it exceeds 800 students.”
The facility was designed by HADP Architecture and will be developed and constructed by University Housing Services and Hardin Construction. The project is being financed by the Kennesaw State University Foundation via bonds issued by the Development Authority of Cobb County.
Several presenters spoke at the ceremony, including KSU President Daniel Papp and KSU Residence Hall Association President Gary Walker. Norman Radow, Kennesaw State University Foundation Chairman, also attended the event.
“It’s best to let what we do speak for itself,” said Radow. “I think the testament to what everyone here has done, working together to build this incredible project and our other projects, is seen here.”
“Architecture, bricks and mortar isn’t what makes Kennesaw and our housing great,” Radow continued. “What does make it great are the people who fill it and the wonderful people who organize and insure that our students have the best experience possible.”
College Planning & Management named KSU’s University Village Suites - the university’s last residential addition - a “Project of Distinction” in the 2009 Education Design Showcase Awards. That same year, the Georgia Housing Officers recognized the university for its programs and personnel with three out of the organization’s six statewide awards going to KSU.
“As enrollment at Kennesaw State continues to grow, more of our students are looking for the complete college experience, including the convenience of on-campus living,” concluded Kennesaw State University President Daniel Papp. “The latest addition to Kennesaw State’s campus provides an extremely attractive housing option for upperclass students to live in a dedicated residential community.”