2008 Woodie Awards
An occasion for celebration
Officials break ground on new residence halls, set to open fall 2006
By: Jonathan Kleinow
Issue date: 4/28/05 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
| |
|
The $15 million project will build two new buildings south of the Webster Village Apartments. The new 340-bed facility is expected to open fall 2006.
Nearly 400 people attended the luncheon ceremony, where officials gave speeches in a celebratory atmosphere.
"Today symbolically marks an important first day in the future of our St. Louis campus as we know it," said John Buck, assistant dean of students. "Soon, gone will be the days, thankfully, of waiting lists, bad plumbing, ugly bathrooms and the occasional 2 a.m. flood in Maria Hall."
Resident assistants (RAs), members of the Residential Housing Association and members of the Student Government Association, as well as the Gorlok, arrived in PARIC pickup trucks to the delight of the crowd. PARIC is the construction company selected to build the dorms.
The best of the pageantry was yet to come, however, as a cement truck trundled slowly down the road with President Richard Meyers in the cab.
"That's a phat ride, man," said Buck, looking on.
Addressing the crowd, Meyers said how happy he is that Webster has grown and expanded over his 10-year presidency.
"This groundbreaking event really is spectacular, but the first most wonderful event in the university president's life is the actual sounds of bulldozers moving dirt, jackhammers said. "That is noise to some people, but it is music to me."
Meyers said he looks forward to future groundbreakings for a new science building and a new business and technology building, among other projects. He congratulated those who worked to make the project a success.
"We know you worked very hard and you made great sacrifices," Meyers said. "To all of you, I say congratulations on a job well done."
The groundbreaking brought an end to a three-year saga that pitted the university against the city and Webster Groves residents. In 2003, the university first proposed building residence halls south of the Visual Arts Studios, where the Kirk House and undergraduate admissions building stand today. The proposed 500-bed building was derided by nearby residents who feared the noise and traffic would disrupt their neighborhood, and the university withdrew its proposal before the City Council could consider it.
The university regrouped and, after considering input from local residents and students, announced plans for new halls south of the Webster Village Apartments at an open house Nov. 30 of last year. The City Council unanimously approved the project Feb. 15.
"The university adds a wonderful dimension to our community," said Webster Groves Mayor Gerry Welch after the ceremony. "You Webster students are a good group."
Outgoing SGA President Phil Eckelkamp, who started a committee to address the concerns of neighboring residents, said the residence halls will help bring students to Webster that have been turned away in the past.
"These residence halls will represent a new era of community for Webster," Eckelkamp said. "The student government is honored and humbled by the outreach of the City Council and the mayor. Residential halls bring people together in a way nothing else could."
Joe McKee, president of PARIC and member of the Board of Trustees, presented Meyers with a mounted silver shovel to hang on his office wall.
"It's truly exciting to be here today and we're ready to deliver on our vision to create spaces where community takes place," McKee said.
Construction will begin shortly after graduation, said David Stone, director of facilities planning. Work will begin with construction of a parking lot where the WVA Gully is now, so WVA residents will have a place to park during construction.