For many Saint Louis University students, coming back from winter break offered many of the usual sights: cars buzzing up and down Grand Boulevard, students walking to and from class and countless beautiful details that campus offers. However, some returned to quite a surprise: Over break, SLU started construction by Beracha Hall.
A new, eight-story, 153,000-square-foot, 450-bed residence hall for first- and second-year students has finally begun. According to David Florek, the Director of Facilities Planning and Construction, the current work taking place is the site preparation stage. This includes removing trees and sculptures and closing the Gonzaga parking lot to serve as a construction staging area.
Detour: Construction taking place for new residence halls creates a few blockages around campus, such as on this Laclede Avenue sidewalk. Ryan Quinn / Photo Editor
Despite the cold conditions, pre-construction is going well, and no issues have been reported.
Florek added, “While this project has an aggressive construction schedule, we always welcome a challenge, and we are confident that by working with our construction partners we will be able to complete the project on time and on budget as we have with past projects.”
However, to many students, the construction came as a surprise. Sophomore Kelsey McClure said, “I had no idea that a new residence hall was being built. It is quite a shock to come back from break and see all the construction and closed pathways.” She, like many, see the construction has a sign of SLU’s continued growth, despite the inconveniences of closed walkways.
Florek also agreed. In recent years, SLU has completed a number of projects designed to enhance the on-campus experience for students. These include renovations to Pius Library, the Center for Global Citizenship and the Education Union at the Medical Center.
Currently, around 90 percent of first-year students live on campus. Construction projects like these and the renovations to the Griesedieck Complex are not only designed to raise the percent of freshman living on campus, but to boost the sophomore numbers as well.
“I think the housing projects that are being planned will not only improve campus life for our students, but will also strengthen our status as one of the country’s premier urban campuses,” said Florek.
Indeed, this year’s freshmen, the class of 2018, is the third-largest class in school history, marking a turning point for SLU. SLU’s ranking and prestige only climbs as the years go on.
“I think SLU is only going to continue to grow from this point. There is no turning back. As the enrollment numbers continue to increase, the need for on campus housing will grow as well,” said freshman Preet Thiara. She, like most of the freshman class, is optimistic about the future. A new president, a new residence hall and a new era seem to be where the school is headed.
While the residence hall may not be complete until 2016, the excitement will last throughout the year. The inconveniences of construction and walking around seem minor to the bright future that SLU faces.