UTM is pursuing the first component of a master housing plan that will offer students fully furnished apartments in a complex situated where Austin Peay Residence Hall now stands.

As part of the plan, a second complex will mirror the first in the footprints of the Jim McCord Residence Hall.

At that point, university officials will evaluate the project and decide whether to replace the remaining traditional dorms.

The master plan was approved in June by the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees and the Tennessee State Building Commission. Prepa-rations are under way for the demolition of Austin Peay, and groundbreaking for the initial $14.5 million complex is scheduled for late spring or early summer. The facility should be ready for occupancy by fall 2005.

“This is one of the most exciting things we’ve had going on at UT Martin,” said Dr. Katie High, vice chancellor for Student Affairs, who serves on the UTM planning committee.

“It’s a visual indication we’re moving forward. We’re seeing things being built. We’re putting these halls together with input from the students,” she added.

Earl Wright, who has been housing director for 25 years and also has assisted in planning, agrees.

“Good quality housing has an influence on decisions made by incoming students,” said Wright. “Our students are excited about this new option with amenities they have been asking for, such as a place to cook and a washer and dryer.”

Pursuit of the new design came after consideration of a housing review conducted by the firm of Anderson Strickler of Gaithersburg, Md., several years ago. According to Al Hooten, vice chancellor of finance and administration, the UTM dormitories were still in relatively good shape, however, they would have needed considerable renovation to continue. The study also indicated that the UTM dormitory configuration was not preferred housing by the students who desire more privacy. “Renovation of current dorms was estimated at $100 million; remodeling current facilities to accommodate students’ desires in housing would cost up to $140 million,” said Hooten, who also serves on the planning committee. “By replacing current housing with new apartment-style units we can accomplish this at a total cost of $60 million, thus providing a significant savings. Plus, we will have modern facilities for our students. “Additionally, as anyone can see in the bond market or loan market the current interest rates are very favorable for borrowing to build a complex such as this reducing rental costs for the long term.” Bonds will be issued through the Tennessee State School Bond Authority. Revenues from rentals will be the source for repayment of the bonds, which likely will span 30 years.

The new units will permit each student to have his or her own room with a full-size bed plus a private bathroom. The design also will allow students to control the temperature in their living spaces, something that was not possible with the traditional dormitory heating and cooling systems.

“The new complexes will provide another alternative in design and pricing to our students allowing them to secure housing that best satisfies their personal preferences,” said Hooten.

“The new housing also will provide sprinklers and much needed electrical outlets. This is a big step and should fill a much needed gap in the variety of housing,” Wright added.

To accommodate the number of students who typically reside in Austin Peay, university officials cooperated with Martin Place, an apartment complex adjacent to campus, for housing of students. Martin Place is owned by Collegiate Properties LC of Atlanta, and has been open for all students this fall.

Previously, freshmen and sophomores were required to reside in dorms. The complex has a 91 percent occupancy.

Martin Place, and others like it in college communities across the country, set a standard for apartment living - something UT Martin students said they wanted. That complex has apartments with four bedrooms and four bathrooms with full kitchen, washer and dryer, cable connection and Internet access.

To follow up on the study of trends, “We interviewed students living in dorms and apartments,” said Dr. High. “The compilation of information was a profile of what they wanted and would be willing to pay. Differing from Martin Place, UT Martin’s new apartments will be offered with two, three and four bedroom/bath floor plans.

The UTM complex is being designed by TLM of Jackson, Tenn., and Evans Taylor Foster Childress Architects of Memphis in a joint venture. The consortium also designed the Boling University Center and the Paul Meek Library, and the continuity of design will be maintained. It will now be up to the students to help select the decor and furnishings. Options will be depicted in the Boling University Center and students will “vote” for their choices.

Other issues being considered are security measures and landscaping. “Video cameras will be installed at vantage points and we're reviewing lock and key systems as part of security issues,” said High. “We will keep a lot of green space.” A second basketball court will be added and there are plans for a kiosk with vending machines.

Parking is currently adequate to serve students living in the complex, and High said there should be a minimum of disruption during the construction phase.

“It has been a wonderful opportunity for me to work with students,” said High, who added she has enjoyed the planning process.

“They get some satisfaction seeing it happen. With this particular project some of the students involved in the planning will be able to reap the benefits before they graduate.

“We answered all the hard questions initially so that the master plan could be approved. Now we just have to make it happen.

This is part of the promise we keep to our students. We tell students we care and we listen to them. We did listen and now we are trying to give them the amenities they requested.”