Admins. plan to renovate

The Biddison Hier plan will require construction and renovation of existing dormitories. The massive overhaul of residential life envisioned by University administrators will require new construction and a series of major renovations to existing dormitories to make way for the proposed system of multi-year "residential communities." The recommendations of two studies released yesterday serve as the framework for changes to both the physical structure and the programmatic aspects of on-campus living. The Biddison Hier consulting firm -- which the University hired in August 1996 to analyze the condition of residential facilities -- offered a plan focusing on structural changes to the buildings that could support more community-based dormitories. And a report from a committee chaired by Art History Professor David Brownlee detailed programmatic aspects of the residential communities. Implementation of the recommendations would divide campus housing into about 16 residential communities of 400 to 500 undergraduates. "As we construct the residential community, it is important to enrich the central core of campus," University President Judith Rodin said, adding that the new Barnes & Noble bookstore -- set to open in July 1998 at 36th and Walnut streets -- as well as shops and restaurants in the proposed Sansom Commons will help create a more dynamic living environment. "We serve a lot of goals with high energy facilities, high energy retail and high energy residences close by," Rodin said. Renovations and new construction will completely overhaul and redesign the inside of the high rises. Vice President for Facilities Management Art Gravina said the high rises are limited in their ability to provide the community-based living envisioned by the new residential system. "There is just no sense of community in the high rises," Gravina said. "We must break this into smaller communities." The Quadrangle will also undergo major renovations, while King's Court/English House and Hill House will not receive major structural changes. To achieve a sense of community, the renovated residential units will each include significant amounts of common space and a dining facility in or near to the residence. During alterations to existing buildings, the Sheraton Hotel at 36th and Chestnut streets will serve as temporary dorm space. Gravina said administrators might convert Stouffer College House into a temporary dorm to serve as additional "swing space" during residential renovations. Other possibilities for the space include tearing the building down or converting it into offices. In addition, administrators foresee new apartment-type housing and retail throughout Superblock to create a more vibrant, "village" atmosphere. And the graduate towers are slated to be renovated as one-bedroom apartments. Rodin said townhouses for graduate students will be constructed near the grad towers to provide an integrated community for graduate students. Although a specific timetable for the projects has not been identified, implementation of the recommendations should begin in September 1998. Executive Vice President John Fry emphasized that he does not want to strain resources earmarked for academic projects to fund the renovations. And although room rates for on-campus living might increase, rent will not fund the project in a significant way, he said. "We're not going to fund this on the backs of room rates," Fry said. "Because unless prices are competitive, people aren't going to want to live there." Fry refused to offer a preliminary cost estimate for the project, saying it would be too speculative.