Renovation Plans in the Works for Former Men’s Dormitories
Built in 1938 as men’s dormitories, Garland, Hedleston and Mayes sit adjacent to Magnolia Drive in the west-central part of campus. Plans are currently in the works to provide total renovation of all three buildings.
Housing needs have changed over the years, and the buildings’ low floor-to-floor heights, tight structural bay sizes and limited bathroom facilities have made them less suitable for residential use. While they may not be viable for housing they are still appropriate for academic or administrative use.
“We’re working on this due to the need for more administrative space but also to help consolidate the various elements of The School of Applied Sciences,” said Chad Hunter, associate university architect.
The interiors and building systems have deteriorated, but like many buildings of the era, they were built well and remain structurally sound.
“We are not demolishing the buildings because of the historical value of that architecture,” said Hunter.
While there is currently not a timetable for the project, when renovation begins it will be necessary to completely replace the mechanical, fire protection, electrical and plumbing systems.
The scope of the project includes: replacing roofs, restoring the windows, providing ADA accessibility and elevators to all levels of each building, making the building life-safety code compliant (fire protection, egress, alarms, smoke detection), replacing all building systems and providing a complete interiors upgrade.
