By Kenneth Mullinax/ASU
The Alabama State University Board of Trustees has approved plans for new student housing to be built on the ASU campus. The Board’s action came after a recent presentation of architectural renderings detailing the scope of the major construction project.
“We had the opportunity to present our vision for the new housing to the Alabama State University Board of Trustees during their recent meeting in Miami,” said ASU President, Dr. Quinton T. Ross, Jr. “They approved the plan and gave us the authority to go forward with financing.”
The approved student housing consists of two new residential apartments, featuring approximately 288 beds on a lot located on Forest Avenue, with an additional 264-bed development on South University Drive.
The South University Drive site will include the demolition of the Cynthia Alexander Apartments. The Forest Avenue site will feature a student activity center with a café.
“This announcement has been a long time coming. We have not had new construction on the ASU campus for a number of years, and to have two new apartment complexes coming to the campus within the next couple of years is certainly exciting news. I want to commend Vice President Donald Dotson and his team in the Division of Facilities Management and Operations, as well as all of those who had a hand in making this happen,” Ross added.
The construction effort for both projects will be overseen by ASU's Donald Dotson, who serves as the University's vice president of Facilities Management and Operations.
He shared that the new complexes will offer apartment-style living, which is more conducive to the lifestyle and learning environment that is of the greatest benefit to ASU's student body. Dotson also noted that the construction supports Alabama State University's FOCUS 2030 Strategic Plan, which has as one of its goals to “Upgrade campus facilities for revitalization and expansion.”
"The need for new student housing is critical to the University's continued growth," Dotson said. "We want to ensure that we give our students the optimum opportunities which modern living facilities provide them."
Dotson also explained that both complexes will be built simultaneously so that they are constructed and ready for occupancy as quickly as possible.
"These projects will not only provide very nice living conditions for our students, but also will help us with new student enrollment and recruiting opportunities as prospective Hornets observe the impressive housing these two new facilities will provide," stated Dotson.