By
Blake Smith
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Week-long stay at hotel ended Saturday for 80 displaced
Eight months after construction began, the Pima Hall extension is now home to 80 students.
The facility officially opened its doors Saturday to some grumbles and much praise.
"I'm really excited about finally having it open, and it looks really nice," said Jim Van Arsdel, University of Arizona Residence Life director.
Keith Humphrey, Pima Hall director, said that a parent told him the new facility raises the level of campus residence halls.
"I think it is beautiful," he added.
On Friday night, members of Residence Life maintenance, resident assistants and hall directors helped students staying in the Plaza Hotel, 1900 E. Speedway Blvd., prepare for their Saturday move to Pima Hall. The 80 students lived in the hotel during the first week of classes while the addition was completed.
The transition from the hotel to the hall went smoothly because of cooperation, Humphrey said.
"Literally a truck would pull up, unload, and the student's room would be done in 15 minutes," he said.
Several students also agreed that the moving process went well.
"It was easier than I thought it would be," said Travis Pritchett, a Management and Information Systems freshman.
While Residence Life officials are pleased that students have finally moved in, unhappiness still surrounds the unfinished project.
"It is disappointing that people are moving into something that is not completely finished," Van Arsdel said.
Automated building exits still need to be installed for handicapped access, furniture needs to be moved into the common area, and landscaping in front of the extension has yet to be completed.
Pritchett said his room had particleboard on the floor when he moved in, but it was quickly picked up by Residence Life maintenance.
As of Saturday, his phone was not working, but he was not concerned.
Humphrey expects finishing touches to be completed on the building by the end of the week.
The 80-bed Pima Hall extension, which began construction in December, was expected to be completed in time for students to move in for this fall semester.
Van Arsdel was unsure how much Swinerton and Walberg Builders may be fined for finishing the project late or how much the UA paid for the 80 residents to live in the Plaza Hotel.
