By James Kelley
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Wednesday Apr. 24, 2002
Campus planners proposed yesterday the addition of campus housing for everyone from undergraduates to faculty.
Partly in response to a housing crisis that forced more than 200 students into residence hall lounges and hotels, consultants included plans for more residence halls as well as housing for faculty, graduate students and families in their latest amendment to the Comprehensive Campus Plan.
Proposed residence hall complexes built around Coronado Residence Hall, 822 E. Fifth St., and Arizona-Sonora Residence Hall, 910 E. Fifth St., would be three-story buildings in the same mold as the Highland District Housing project, which is under construction and scheduled to open in 2004.
Although no dates have been set for completion of the proposed halls, planners expect that they would be about the same size as the Highland dorm, which will house 770 students.
"The university houses 18 percent of undergraduates and has desires to accommodate more students," said Scott Miller, a representative from Ayer Saint Gross Architects and Campus Planners, which is developing the campus plan.
The halls would take the place of the Zone 1 parking lots near Coronado and could contain courtyards, basketball courts and a student union food service.
"I think it's really cool. It will add a lot to the community of these dorms," said Maggie Dempsey, a dance freshman and Coronodo resident. "The courtyards are better places for students to bond than the (dorm) lounges."
The planners submitted several proposals for faculty/staff housing south of Sixth Street, which they said they hope will help alleviate parking because those living there would not have to drive to work. They said they also hope the inhabitants would feel more commited to the university.
"We sent out an informal poll to the faculty and staff, and the idea was well received," Miller said.
The Comprehensive Plan also calls for graduate housing near the James E. Rogers Law Center, 1201 E. Speedway Blvd. and McClelland Hall, 1130 E. Helen St. and residence halls near the east entrance to the Mall.
Married student and family housing, more apartments and bungalow housing are proposed for the area near Skyview Apartments, 1050 E. Eighth St., a few blocks south of campus.