New Residence Hall Gets Started
May 14, 2003
Launching the first phase of a Master Plan that will transform the University campus and accommodate a growing number of resident students, Ohio Dominican University has selected an architect and construction manager for a new residence hall to be built on its Main Campus at 1216 Sunbury Road. Construction will begin this summer.
Wandel & Schnell, Architects, Inc. will serve as architect for the project, and Messer Construction Company has been selected as the construction manager.
Wandel & Schnell, a Columbus-based firm, was chosen from among eight architectural firm that submitted their qualifications for the project. "We liked their creativity, innovative approach, and sensitivity to budget constraints and client needs," said Roger Fecher, Vice President for Finance and Administration. In addition to many corporate and municipal clients, Wandel & Schnell has designed student housing projects at The Ohio State University, Ohio University and Muskingum Area Technical College. The firm also designed the Longaberger Alumni House, the Botany and Zoology Greenhouse, and the Austin E. Knowlton School of Architecture at the Ohio State University with Mack Scogin and Merrill Elam of Atlanta.
"Residence halls can give a sense of home to a campus and encourage smaller communities to grow within the university. We look forward to playing a role in the first phase of the Master Plan, providing useful places that will delight students, faculty, staff and visitors for years to come," said Robert Wandel, President, Wandel & Schnell.
Messer Construction Co., a Cincinnati-based firm with offices in Columbus, Lexington, Louisville and Dayton, will serve as the construction manager for the project. Messer was also selected from among eight construction management firms who submitted proposals. "They were particularly appealing to us because they've had a lot of experience in the student housing arena," Fecher said. Messer has overseen the construction of student housing projects at the University of Louisville, Northern Kentucky University, the University of Cincinnati and Berea College (KY). Commercial -more- ODU Selects Architect, Contractor/2 projects in the firm's portfolio include PromoWest Pavilion in Columbus; the Schuster Performing Arts Center in Dayton; and an addition to Children's Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati.
"With the continued growth in enrollment, the University's energy level remains unsurpassed. Messer is pleased to share in the continued tradition of excellence that Ohio Dominican has to offer," said Timothy J. Steigerwald, Vice President, Messer Construction Co.
The exact site of the residence hall is yet to be decided, Fecher said, although two potential sites on campus have been identified. Construction will begin no later than August 1 of this year, and the residence hall will be ready for occupancy by August 2004 for Fall Semester 2004. The facility, which will include 70,000 to 80,000 square feet, will accommodate 400 students and will be designed in a modified suite format. The project will cost around $10 million. The university plans to finance the project through variable rate demand revenue bonds issued through the Ohio Higher Educational Facilities Commission.
Ohio Dominican is building the new residence hall due to the increasing ranks of traditional students entering the university. Under the leadership of its president, Dr. Jack Calareso, the university has embarked on an aggressive growth plan. Ohio Dominican's current student population of 2,300 is slated to double in 10 years, and a total of nine residence halls are scheduled to be built during the next 15 years, offering students a variety of housing options.
