Laird Campus construction update

4:08 p.m., Oct. 5, 2004--Work continues on the construction of three modern residence halls on the Laird Campus. The $72 million project to replace the motel-style Pencader residence halls will feature architecture and landscaping patterned after The Green.

Construction of the first (north) building began in May. Metal studs and steel beams are being installed on the third floor. Completion of the 509-bed unit is scheduled for August 2005, with the completion of the two south buildings (250 beds each) slated for August 2006.

Pencader A-H residence halls and Commons I and II are scheduled for demolition in June 2005. Pencader J-M and Commons III will be demolished in June 2006.

A sand volleyball and tennis court and two basketball courts have been installed on the east side of the ring road that encircles the area leading to Christiana Towers, replacing those lost to construction of the North Building.

New traffic patterns were implemented on the Laird Campus in mid-August and will remain in effect for the remainder of the 2004-05 academic year.

A pedestrian bridge connecting the area to the Ray Street Residence Hall Complex is scheduled for construction in two phases during the summers of 2005 and 2006. Ayers Saint Gross of Baltimore is the architect.

Article by Jerry Rhodes
Photo by Kevin Quinlan

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