The second phase of UVA’s Alderman Road replacement project is going vertical. David Neuman, University architect, presented the Board of Visitors’ Buildings and Grounds Committee with plans for two six-story residence halls that will replace Balz, Dobie and Watson houses. Two of those dorms will be demolished this summer, while Watson will come down in the summer of 2010.
“After review, it was decided that it would be necessary, as well as efficient from both an economic and environmental perspective, to build six-floor residence halls,” said Carol Wood, UVA spokesperson, by e-mail. “These new residences will ensure enough beds to
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meet anticipated enrollment needs.” The new buildings will house 400 first-year students and resident advisers and are slated to open in 2011 and 2012. The buildings will nestle in a hillside and will appear smaller from the rear, according to Neuman, and will be the first two residence halls to meet LEED certification standards for sustainability, and “may possibly reach LEED Silver status,” said Wood. A student commons building, slated to open in 2011, is also in the planning stages.
If the residence halls for phase three of the replacement project are built at the same height, UVA could avoid building one additional dorm, which could save $17.7 million.
At the end of the three phases of the project, 500 beds will be added for a total of 2,226 beds. Neuman said that there would be more open space than currently exists on Alderman Road.
At eight-stories, Bice House is the tallest student building on Grounds.
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