Citing its growing student body and a lack of available housing on campus, Utah Tech University officials announced Thursday they plan to break ground next month on a new five-story student housing complex.
The new Campus View Suites III is planned to be 164,600 square feet and would have room for 564 students, replacing the 162-bed Nisson Student Housing complex that has stood at the corner of 100 South and 1000 East since it was built in 1969.
A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Feb. 9 , with construction expected to be done in time for the 2024 fall semester.
All seven of the university’s existing student housing buildings are full, with 100% capacity reported at the 1,187 combined beds available on campus. Officials say they expect Campus Suites III to add much-needed availability, although it is likely to fill quickly.
UT has a total student population of 12,556 students at the start of the fall semester, marking the seventh consecutive year the school has reported an increase. The campus has seen its student body increase by nearly 50% since 2014.
The UT Facilities Management team is partnering with DFCM, Layton Construction and Method Studio on the building construction with Jon Gibb, director of Facilities Planning and Construction, adding it would provide students with “exactly what you’d want in campus living.”
The Utah Legislature approved funding for the building through a $62.5 million bond to be repaid over time by student rents.
Officials say the building would be ideally situated, located at the edge of the main campus and adjacent to the sites where 350 new parking stalls are planned just to the north across 100 South. It would be located directly across from the St. George SunTran bus service’s main station.
Administrators say students who live on campus are more likely to stay in school and to graduate, and that the more students live on campus, the more active and vibrant the university atmosphere could be.
“We are very excited to begin the third phase of Campus View Suites,” Seth Gubler, director of Housing and Resident Life, said in a written statement. “With its completion, more students will be able to live on campus and experience the programming, amenities and resources provided by the university.”
The complex is scheduled to include a fitness room, multipurpose room, laundry facilities, bike storage, and an on-site grocery store. Common kitchens and other shared spaces are also planned.
The public will be invited to attend the ribbon cutting. It’s scheduled to take place at the Campus View Suites courtyard at 974 E. 100 South.