North Carolina Central University (NCCU) in Durham plans to break ground this year on several large projects that will reshape the campus experience for the 8,200 students at the historically black institution.
The Raleigh News & Observer reports that the planned construction includes three new residential buildings, a new business school and a $47 million student center. The buildings will replace aging structures, some of which will be demolished.
“We’re very excited about where we’re going,” says Akua Matherson, associate vice chancellor for administration and finance.
NCCU Chancellor Johnson Akinleye says plans for a $123 million residence hall complex will enable the university to alleviate a housing shortage so that all freshmen and sophomores to live on campus. A few years ago, NCCU officials sought to require sophomores to live on campus, but quickly found they didn’t have enough rooms.
About 35 percent of NCCU students now live on campus.
The university will enter into a new form of development to build three residential buildings with 1,270 new beds.
Corvias Development will build the project, and Provident Group-NCCU Properties LLC will own and operate it. Provident will make lease payments to the university for the land, and the university won’t have to bear upfront costs to build the residence halls. After a maximum of 50 years, the buildings will become property of university.
Under the partnership, NCCU will have two new residential buildings with 800 beds ready by fall 2020. The development will include space for a dining facility or convenience store. By fall of 2021, another building will be done, adding 470 beds.
The $47 million student center will include performance space, student and administrative offices, a store, game room and food court. It will replace the student union built in 1968.
The $38 million business school will include smart classrooms, a 200-seat auditorium and a financial trading room, It also will have a business incubator, a board room and an observation lab.
