Penn State board of trustees approve $95.3M in renovations at residence halls
Penn State’s board of trustees approved Friday $95.3 million toward major renovations to three residence buildings at East Halls, “completely modernizing” them and completing the final phase of improvements to the East Halls complex.
The multi-million dollar improvements focus on Hastings, Stone and Snyder Halls, which were built in the 1960s. The renovations are numerous — essentially “a complete facility renewal,” said Bill Sitzabee, vice president for facilities management and planning/chief facilities officer — and would add air conditioning, semi-private bathrooms, community kitchens, music practice rooms, gaming spaces, meditation rooms, outdoor enhancements, etc.
The renovations are expected to add 50 years of life to the buildings, which will continue to hold about 775 beds with most rooms containing two. Renovations are expected to start in May with an anticipated completion in July 2024.
“In today’s competitive higher education environment, modern student housing is essential for recruitment and retention,” said treasurer and senior vice president for finance and business Sara Thorndike, reading from a summary on the agenda during trustees’ Committee on Finance, Business and Capital Planning meeting on Thursday.
That committee voted unanimously to recommend the plan to the full board, which formally approved it Friday afternoon. Trustee Barry Fenchak was the only dissenting vote, citing concerns about the overall cost.
The renovations would serve as the sixth and final phase of the effort to modernize the 16-building East Halls complex.
According to officials, the construction would be funded by self-supported borrowing and reserves from Housing and Food Service. No tuition or state funds would be used toward the project, which would eliminate the need for $26.9 million in maintenance backlogs for the buildings.
The plans include the replacement of boilers, plumbing, heating and roofs, along with improvements to ADA accessibility, fire and light safety systems, security, insulation and window systems. Sitzabee referred to it as a “full gut renovation,” while officials acknowledged there was some early discussion about potentially demolishing and rebuilding the dorms — before eventually concluding this would be more efficient.
“There is a growing demand for renovated housing by incoming and returning students, summer students, camps and conferences,” Thorndike added.
This story was originally published November 10, 2022 at 2:46 PM.
