Campbell Hall’s Final Days? UNI Plans Major Housing Revamp

One of the scariest and most exciting aspects of going to college is living away from home for the first time. There are so many questions that prospective students (and parents) usually have before moving into the dorms.

What will your roommate be like? Where will your dorm be? How close is your room to your 8:00 AM class?

For officials at the University of Northern Iowa there are even more questions surrounding student housing that will be asked over the next few years.

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University of Northern Iowa Could Be Adding More Student Housing

In a press release from UNI, campus leaders are hoping to buy a neighboring apartment complex that will be transformed into residential spaces for students.

The plan is for the University of Northern Iowa to acquire The Quarters, but only after receiving approval from the Iowa Board of Regents.

This complex is located at 2124 W 27th Street in Cedar Falls, which is adjacent to campus.

The Quarters has eleven buildings on a ten acre property which could house approximately 480 residents. Also there is on-site parking, basketball court, sand volleyball area, as well as a pool and clubhouse.

This proposed purchase would provide even more of our students with the type of housing experience they are seeking, while allowing them to live in close proximity to the rest of our UNI campus community and the services they access daily," said UNI President Mark Nook.

Let's Talk $$$

If the university were to acquire the property, it would cost approximately $21.2 million. These funds would be coming out of the Dormitory Revenue Bonds, and no general education fund dollars will be spent in this acquisition, according to UNI officials.

This is due to UNI Housing & Dining being a "self-supporting auxiliary unit."

“UNI students continue to express their desire for additional on-campus housing options, and apartment-style living is popular among upper level students,” said Nick Rafanello, assistant vice president & executive director of UNI Housing & Dining.

What Is the Timeline on this Project?

According to UNI officials, this proposed acquisition will be discussed and possibly approved at the upcoming Iowa Board of Regents on January 15th.

Another measure that the school is looking to get approved is the removal of Campbell Hall.

Goodbye to Campbell Hall

Located at 1301 W 23rd Street in Cedar Falls, this former dormitory was initially built in the 1950s. Campbell Hall has been unoccupied for the past three years and also does not have a fire sprinkler system, passenger elevator, and no ADA accessible bathrooms, according to officials.

Approximately 583 students could be housed in this building. However, officials report that millions of dollars have been wasted in "deferred maintenance" for Campbell.

If the college receives the go ahead from the Board of Regents, then the building would become a grassy area or park-like environment.

“Campbell Hall will always have a special place in the hearts of its former residents and many others,” Nook said in a statement.

This remains a developing story. We will keep you updated as more information is released regarding this project.

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