Dynamic and attractive communities are needed to help drive and support student recruitment and retention in a very competitive environment.
Students who live on campus in the UO’s high-quality, learning-centered residential communities have higher grades, higher retention and graduation rates, and graduate faster than students who live off campus.
Living on campus at the UO facilitates diverse and inclusive communal engagement, contributes to students’ exploring purpose and meaning, and facilitates students making long-term social connections.
The Hamilton-Walton Transformation Project will unfold in three phases:
- Unthank Hall on Humpy Lumpy Lawn will contain a prospective student welcome center, large open market (PNW Market), academic spaces, and residences for 700 students.
- Removal of Walton Hall and construction of two new residence hall buildings.
- Removal of Hamilton Hall and development of a new Humpy Lumpy green space which will be larger than the Humpy Lumpy Lawn area where Unthank Hall will be built.
Phase One
Phase one of the construction of Unthank Hall on Humpy Lumpy Lawn began on December 2, 2019, with fencing and site preparation (shown in red, left). The fencing will remain up for the duration of the project. Pedestrian traffic will be detoured to the north and south of the site (shown in green, left), and the sidewalk on the east side of Agate Street will be closed. Construction traffic will enter and exit the site at the northwest and southwest corners; flaggers will be posted to ensure pedestrian safety.
Phase One Project Facts
- Residences for approximately 700 students
- PNW Market will be the new student dining venue for all students and community members and will be a venue available for students on a meal plan
- The Duck’s House restaurant will also be a great dining option for students and community members
- The project will feature a new prospective student welcome center
- Unthank Hall will be roughly 209,000 GSF (gross square feet)
- Funding sources: revenue bonds/internal bank, university carry-forward funds, fundraising and sponsorships
- Anticipated cost for phase one is $87 Million
- Anticipated LEED Gold
Phase One Timeline
- Start date: December 2019, construction fencing and site preparation
- End date: August 2021, Unthank Hall ready for occupancy for fall 2021
Sustainability
Project administrators located the building to preserve as many of the large trees along 15th Avenue as possible. Some of the trees that will be harvested will be used in the project.
The amount of green space that will be available after the entire project is completed will be larger than the current green space by approximately 20 percent.
Unthank Hall will meet the Advanced Energy Threshold—25 percent above the current state energy code—and will earn LEED Gold certification.
Construction Update, June 12–June 18
This week there will be exterior masonry, glazing and metal panel installation, interior wall finishing, painting, floor polishing, and mechanical, electrical and plumbing work.
High impact activities:
Powered hand tools • Delivery trucks
Extended fencing June 28–July 26. Accesible routes to the University Housing office, around the south end of Hamilton, and the ADA parking spots in lot 37 will remain open.
Expect increased construction traffic around the site at 15th Avenue, Agate Street, and Columbia Street. Flagging provided during heavy trucking.
Construction hours are 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; loud work starts at 7:00 a.m. during the summer.
Contractors have been asked to be mindful of student schedules and noise levels.