Residence hall to be torn down at University of Oregon

The University of Oregon is planning to tear down one of its residence halls on the Eugene campus after the spring semester concludes.

The Eugene Register-Guard reports that the demolition of Hamilton Hall, which opened in 1962, marks the start of phase three of the Hamilton Walton Transformation Project. The building will be razed and replaced with a green space that will stretch from the Erb Memorial Union to the Ford Alumni Center and Matthew Knight Arena.

Phase one included the construction of Unthank Hall. Phase two saw Walton Hall removed and replaced with two new student residencies — an apartment-style resident hall named Yasui Hall and one still unnamed building, both adding up to 800 bed spaces for students between both buildings. The first two project phases cost about $210 million to complete. 

In addition to added bed spaces, the project has expanded dining venues and added a dedicated Student Welcome Center in Unthank Hall.

The Hamilton Hall demolition process is set to begin after graduation with a salvage operation. Following that will be hazardous materials abatement. The structure is to be demolished in mid-late summer.