SU’s new housing strategy has plans for two new residence halls, demolishing two existing dorms

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse University (SU) has plans to build a new residence hall at 700 Ostrom Ave. and to demolish the existing Marion and Kimmel Halls and Kimmel dining center and replace them with a “modern, new” residence hall.

Those elements are part of the first phase of SU’s new strategic housing plan that Syracuse University Chancellor Kent Syverud announced on Monday on the university’s news website.

The announcement follows the completion of a three-year housing review, which found that undergraduate students wanted more options for living in university housing on North Campus that provides “seamless access to various campus facilities and amenities.”

The strategy follows approval from the SU board of trustees, the school noted.

First phase plans

As part of the new strategy, SU plans to build a new residence hall at 700 Ostrom Ave., adjacent to Thornden Park. The new facility will house at least 450 students.

The architect has been selected, and the student–experience team will host severalmeetings this spring for student input. SU’s goal is to begin construction this year.

In addition, SU also plans to demolish Marion Hall and Kimmel Hall and dining center on the corner of Comstock and Waverly Avenues to make way for a “modern, new”residence hall.

SU is currently working through a timeline for the design and construction of this new facility, the school said.

“Over the years, we’ve made renovations to residence hall bathrooms, and expanded and improved community spaces,” Syverud said in the news release. “But many of the residence halls on campus have remained largely the same for too long. Today’s students have dramatically different wants and needs for student housing. This ambitious plan will provide our students with the living environments they expect that will allow them to succeed and thrive.”

These two new facilities will be the first new residence halls since Ernie Davis Hall opened 15 years ago,” SU’s senior vice president and CFO Brett Padgett noted in the announcement.

Padgett helped lead the group that developed the new housing strategy.

The housing strategy builds on the recent announcement that new housing will be made available at the Sheraton Syracuse University Hotel & Conference Center and at 727 South Crouse, the apartment complex formerly known as the Marshall, SU said.