Residence Halls to Be Updated

Housing officials discussed future renovations to Morrison and Hinton James in a meeting last week.

Rick Bradley, assistant director of housing and residential education, said the final design of Morrison hasn't been determined.

At the UNC Board of Trustees Buildings and Grounds Committee meeting Wednesday, the project was approved for funding with a budget of $20 million dollars.

Morrison will be shut down and renovated to resemble apartment-style suites to promote a community-oriented atmosphere.

"Morrison will be scheduled to be renovated during 2005 and 2007, and Hinton James is scheduled to be renovated between 2007 and 2009," Bradley said.

If the changes take place, Morrison will only house 750 students, which is 500 students fewer than its current capacity.

Bradley said that because the design is not finalized, there are no concrete plans to supplement the probable bed loss.

Both projects would require Morrison and Hinton James to be completely shut down during the two years it will take to renovate them.

Bradley said that in the meantime, several building projects for upperclassmen will be complete and that the campus will be able to accommodate the underclassmen who would normally be housed in these two residence halls.

He said that the design of the residence halls is still under review and that housing officials still are soliciting design bids.

Bradley said the plan would reconfigure the layout of the rooms and would consider repainting, the renovation of bathrooms and the removal of built-in furniture.

The changes would be much like the changes being made to Alexander, Connor, Winston and Joyner residence halls.

Officials also are considering upgrading the heat and airotection and electrical systems.

There also might be changes made to the exteriors of the buildings.

Although officials have many ideas in mind, the changes are still in the planning stages.

The BOT received 21 interest letters from companies after the idea was proposed July 23.

Officials interviewed six firms Aug. 30.

Of these companies, Little & Associates of Research Triangle Park was ranked first by the trustees.

According to the meeting's agenda, board members were impressed with Little and Associate's "extensive experience with similar student housing projects, their integration of sustainable design into their design process, and their excellent engineering consultants."

The University Editor can be reached at udesk@unc.edu.