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Video Feature: MSU Breaks Ground on $48.3 Million in Projects

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDnCa6ljmnQ

Officials of Morehead State University along with members of its Board of Regents, local and state legislators broke ground today (Thursday, March 19) for three new projects with a total estimated cost of $48.3 million.

Due to bad weather the groundbreaking ceremony was moved to the back porch of Alumni Tower.(View photo gallery)

The three projects are the East Parking Complex and Dining Commons, the Main Campus Residence Hall and the Derrickson Agricultural Complex Residence Hall.

None of the projects are being financed with state general fund appropriations or state bonds.

“These are indeed exciting times to be involved at Morehead State University. These projects are important not only to the current and future students of MSU, but also to the economic development of our community,” said Paul C. Goodpaster, Board of Regents chair.

All three projects are scheduled to be completed by the fall of 2016.

“This is a historic day,” said Dr. Wayne D. Andrews, MSU president. “We have done a lot of work on the planning of these projects. Every MSU student will benefit.”

“The students told us, they want better housing, better food service, better parking and better technology. All four of those improvements are underway.”

The East Parking Complex and Dining Commons will be built on the site of the former Waterfield Hall at a cost of $17.6 million. There will be approximately 400 parking spaces on three parking decks (totaling 110,000 square feet). The 25,000 square foot dining commons will overlook the central residential community. The project was designed by EOP Architects, Lexington. The parking and dining facility is being funded from private funds and from student fees for housing, parking and dining services.

The Main Campus Residence Hall (yet to be named) will be built on the site of the former Regents and Wilson Halls. At a cost of $28 million, the new hall will provide space for 550 residents. It will provide suite style rooms, student/study meeting areas, and will have Wi-Fi connectivity throughout. Sherman Carter Barnhart of Lexington designed the building.

At the Derrickson Agricultural Complex (on KY 377 north of Morehead), two new residential facilities will be built. At a cost of $2.7 million, the halls combined will have 15,000 total square footage and will have 48 beds with six-person apartment style rooms along with amenities that will be conducive to farm learning/living environment. Both buildings will offer Wi-Fi connectivity throughout. The project was designed by Sherman Carter Barnhart of Lexington and will be built by Codell Construction of Winchester.

The residence halls will be funded with institutional bonds paid by rental fees from residents.

These projects are part of a comprehensive Campus Master Plan that focuses on meeting student, employee and community needs and expectations. The vision is to make the campus a greener, more pedestrian-friendly place, with plans to recreate a central campus entrance and establish focused “districts” of activity.

To follow MSU’s progress on these and other campus improvement projects, visit www.moreheadstate.edu/progress/.