Fort Valley State University

With more than 5,000 applications for fall semester 2008, Fort Valley State University’s campus population is growing exponentially. To accommodate the bumper crop of new students, additional student housing – Phase III of the Wildcat Commons – is under way. At 9:30 a.m. Friday, August 1, a groundbreaking for the new Wildcat Commons buildings will be held at the Wildcat Commons Clubhouse. The $16 million student housing complex will be adjacent to the existing dorms.

Plans for the new project stemmed from the increasing demand for more affordable, quality housing to meet the future student enrollment projections.

“We are very pleased to have under way the construction of two additional suite-style residence hall buildings that will hold 378 beds,” said Dr. Melody Carter, vice president for external affairs. “As we prepare for what will most likely be a record number of students, it is vitally important to grow the campus infrastructure – that includes additional and enhanced student housing facilities.”

The University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents approved the Wildcat Commons Phase III during their March meeting. In June, the board issued a Notice to Proceed with the project. The FVSU Foundation, Inc. has established the FVSU Foundation Wildcat Commons II, LLC to complete the buildings. Clement & Wynn will serve as project manager for the facilities; H.J. Russell will be the developers; Niles Bolton Associates are the architects.

Approximately two and a half acres will be used to build the two new 126,430 square-foot facilities.

The facilities feature:

• four bedroom suites and semi-suites with two baths
• two units with two bedrooms and two baths
• two units with three bedrooms and one bath

The new complex will complement the existing five housing and amenities buildings. Planners also expect to upgrade the area’s sanitary sewer system, finish closing Memorial Drive, and erect the Florence and Henry Hunt statues.

“The design approach maintains the existing campus architecture to ensure consistency and respect for university history and tradition,” said Joy Moten-Thomas, director for the Public Service Center and Facilities Development. “The new buildings also evoke a sense of student community while encouraging interaction.”

The student housing complex is expected to be complete by early 2009.