Transition to residential campus ahead for IPFW

Private contractor to build, operate campus' residence halls

Plans include three to four residence halls, each three stories high arranged in a quadrangle pattern, to be built on the proposed site east of campus near Crescent Avenue. The halls will be apartment-style and accommodate groups of two and four students, with private bedrooms, a kitchenette and shared living spaces, cable television and Internet access. Plans are for the residence halls to have a total of 568 beds, and the buildings will be designed to match IPFW's campus architecture.

"We think it's going to be very competitive with local apartments, but there has to be a balance with what students are willing to pay with how many amenities we can put into the building," said Walt Branson, vice chancellor of financial affairs at IPFW. A covered, suspension footbridge over Crescent would connect the residence halls to the main campus. Plans include suspending the bridge from cables connected to "two large columns that will provide a very dramatic sight and landmark for the campus," Branson explained.

Because IPFW cannot use general fund money to build the residence halls, American Campus Communities will build and operate them, and make up the cost with student rental income. According to Branson, the project is expected to cost about $25 million. "The residence halls project is going to be self-supporting. There will be no state dollars spent on the project," Branson said. American Campus Communities has developed, constructed or managed more than 55 student properties ranging from modern student apartments to traditional full-service residence halls, said Jason Wills, vice president of on-campus development for ACC. The company will hire a director of student housing who will report to Edna Neal, vice chancellor for student affairs at IPFW.

For more information about IPFW, visit:
http://www.ipfw.edu/