A long overdue groundbreaking

Rachele Kloppe, Corner Post staff

Oct. 31, 2002 - A groundbreaking ceremony took place at College Avenue and Hospital Drive today to celebrate the new residence halls that are scheduled to be in use by Fall Semester 2004. The facilities, now called the Virginia Avenue Housing and Dining Group, mark the beginning of a 15- to 20-year plan at MU.

Photo by Rachele Kloppe  Truman the tiger and Chancellor Richard Wallace joined  campus life coordinators in the groundbreaking ceremony  for the (new dorm/dining hall facility). Wallace said the  existing residence halls are outdated however the new  facility will be at the top of its class.

"Breaking ground at the new housing and dining facilities have not come at a better time at this institution," Frankie Minor, Director of Residential Life, said.

The oldest residence halls are almost 65 years old and new residence halls have not been constructed for nearly 35 years.

"We've not broken ground for a new residence hall since the mid-'60s," Cathy Scroggs, Interim Vice-Chancellor of Student Affairs, said. "This is a historic occasion."

Minor said the 15- to 20-year master plan consists of four phases of construction, renovation and demolition, which will cost more than $300 million.

"As we progress through this plan, every single residence hall will either be renovated or newly constructed," Minor said.

The Virginia Avenue Housing and Dining Group, a temporary name for the facilities, is a $42 million project. It features a 450-seat dining hall and 720 beds in four residence halls.

Julaine Kiehn, Director of Campus Dining Services, said the dining hall will feature all-you-can-eat food; display cooking; on-stage preparation; a coffee counter; an emporium and take-out; and a counter at which customers can eat.

"We take the first step today in a 15-year plan to address what is a very important need for this campus," MU Chancellor Richard Wallace said. "This is huge, this is big, this is important."


Story originally posted 11/5/02

Back to archives