New Residence Hall Breaks Ground at Pacific University

FOREST GROVE, Ore. — Pacific University is set to break ground on a 200-bed residence hall on the university’s Forest Grove campus Oct. 10. The four-story, 60,000-square-foot hall will accommodate the campus’ enrollment growth.

The university, under the guidance of construction management firm inici Group, has selected Mahlum Architects and Walsh Construction to head the design-build project. All firms hold offices in Portland, Ore.

"This exciting development marks an important milestone in the university’s history and its future," said Lesley Hallick, president of Pacific University, in a statement. "The new residence hall will reflect the university’s strong tradition of close-knit community even as the student body continues to expand."

Undergraduate enrollment is expected to rise from the current 1,700 students to approximately 2,00 students in 2020. To maintain the university’s close-knit atmosphere through its continued growth, the new residence hall is designed to have single and double occupancy rooms, small suites and flexible spaces to host indoor and out door events, but will also feature shared kitchens, study spaces and lounge areas to create an atmosphere of support among students.

Other features at the new residence hall include outdoor patios, an indoor/outdoor fireplace, bicycle parking and gardens that capture stormwater runoff to be irrigated and recycled. Much like the university’s existing campus residences, the new hall will focus on environmental sustainability and energy efficiency.

"The Pacific University experience offers a distinct opportunity for students to work collaboratively with their professors and peers," Hallick said. "Great thought and energy have been invested into the hall’s design by Mahlum, Walsh and inici, to create a residence that will foster a strong sense of commonwealth."

The residence hall will be built on the current Reynolds Fields in close proximity to University Center, Price Hall and the Holce Tennis Courts. It is expected to be open in time for the 2014 fall semester.

"After a thorough examination of several strong proposals, we are very pleased that the design-build team of Walsh Construction and Mahlum Architects have agreed to design and execute this important project," said Karl Schulz, senior project manager at inici Group, which will oversee the project. "We are confident this new residence hall will help students reach their full potential while at Pacific University."