New residential community breaks ground on south campus


The south end of the Tempe campus soon will have a new look, as ASU and its partner, American Campus Communities (ACC), break ground on a new residential community this spring semester.

The project's first phase will add 1,866 beds to ASU's on-campus housing accommodations for fall 2008.

ASU plans to increase the number of students living on its four campuses from 6,800 to 12,000 by 2015, says James Rund, vice president of University Student Initiatives, which oversees Residential Life.

“We are committed to providing the most advantageous learning environment for our students, and these facilities will contribute to the individual success of all students,” Rund says. “The range of learning environments and support services available will be among the best in the country.”

The south campus residential community eventually will house 5,000 students in 10 residential buildings. Rooms will frame a 23,000-square-foot, two-story community center featuring several amenities, including:

• A club-style fitness center.

• A social lounge.

• A game room.

• A theater.

• Study rooms.

Outside amenities include a pool and sun deck, a basketball court, and a parking garage with surrounding parking spaces.

All units will be fully furnished and will include high-speed Internet connections, fully equipped kitchens, and washers and dryers. Students can request private bedroom and bathroom accommodations.

The buildings will have room for retail space, including restaurants, clothing retailers and a coffee shop.

Pending approval from Arizona Board of Regents, ASU and ACC will begin construction on the second phase of development, which includes the Barrett Honors College residential facility, in 2007, and occupancy is anticipated for fall 2009.

The academically oriented residential honors college, which will contain about 1,700 beds, will feature classrooms, administrative and faculty offices, and a 22,000-square-foot dining facility.

The third phase of development is in the conceptual planning stage.

ACC is funding 100 percent of the total development costs of the project and will own a leasehold interest in the land and improvements through an 85-year ground lease, which includes two 10-year extensions.

“This long term partnership with American Campus enables ASU to offer more students the opportunity to reside in high-quality, modern, on-campus housing, while concurrently preserving our debt capacity to invest in core academic infrastructure,” says ASU President Michael Crow.