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 (completed summer 2021) on Humpy Lumpy Lawn contains the Student Welcome Center, PNW Market, academic spaces, and residences for 700 students.
- Removal of Walton Hall and construction of two new residence hall buildings: the New Residence Hall will contain academic spaces, a service center, a package locker delivery center, and residences for 705 students. The New Apartment-Style Residence Hall will contain four-person and single-occupant studio units for 400 students.
- Removal of Hamilton Hall and development of a new green space which will be larger than the Humpy Lumpy Lawn that Unthank Hall replaced.
Phase Two
Phase two will be the demolition of Walton Hall and then the construction of two new residence halls, currently designated New Residence Hall (Building B) and New Apartment-Style Residence Hall (Building C). Fencing and temporary walking paths around the site are in place.
Phase Two Project Facts
- The New Residence Hall will be a traditional residence hall for approximately 700 students and include a new service center and package locker delivery center
- The New Apartment-Style Residence Hall will have 400 new beds in a mix of four bedroom apartments and single-occupancy studio units
- Funding sources: revenue bonds/internal bank, university carry-forward funds, fundraising and sponsorships
- Phase two combined square footage: 289,000 GSF
- Anticipated cost for phase one is $120 Million
- Anticipated LEED Gold
Phase Two Timeline
- Start date: July 2021, construction fencing and site preparation
- End date: July 2023, new residence halls ready for occupancy
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.
All three new buildings will meet the Advanced Energy Threshold—25 percent above the current state energy code—and will earn LEED Gold certification.
Construction Update (May 27–June 2)
This week there will be weather barrier application, masonry, metal panel and glazing installation, roofing, MEP rough-in, sheetrock.
High impact activities:
Powered hand tools
Expect increased construction traffic around the site at Agate Street. Large deliveries and equipment are flagged while entering roadway.
Construction hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; monitored noise starts at 7:30 a.m., loud work starts at 7:30 a.m.
Contractors have been asked to be mindful of student schedules and noise levels.