The University of Virginia’s Great and Good Strategic Plan adopted in 2019 calls for the institution to house second-year students on Grounds. That idea is being implemented and on Thursday a panel of the Board of Visitors will be asked to clear the way for several hundred new units to be constructed on Ivy Road.
“UVA has committed to expand its on-Grounds undergraduate student housing capacity to accommodate a greater proportion of the student population,” reads the staff report for the December 5 meeting of the Buildings and Grounds Committee.
UVA has hired Capstone Development Partners to lead construction of units that will be built on the western end of the Emmet-Ivy Corridor.
“The current design contemplates a three-building facility with 750-800 beds in apartment-style housing, as well as dining, programmatic, and retail spaces,” the report continues.
One specific ask for the committee is to approve the demolition of a former bank building at the intersection of Ivy and Copeland Roads. Two other buildings in the way were approved for demolition in December 2023, as I reported at the time.
The committee will also be asked to approve an amendment to the major capital plan as well as the design guidelines for the site. The cost estimate is projected between $100 million and $150 million. The design team will be Elkus Manfredi Architects.
UVA will also build new housing for students on Emmet Street on the site of the former University Gardens and a place that currently houses Afghan Kebab. Some additional stories:
- University Gardens slated for demolition, July 11, 2022
- Proposed UVA capital plan includes $7 million for second-year housing initiative, April 6, 2023
- Second-year initiative moving forward; UVA Health Clinic at Zion Crossroads to expand, June 6, 2023
- UVA to build two new residence halls with 2,000 units on Emmet Street, Ivy Road, May 27, 2024
- More details on UVA’s plans to build 2,000 new beds for second-year students, October 11, 2024
The Buildings and Grounds Committee will also consider approval of the schematic design for the North Grounds Parking Garage, a project with a $50 million cost estimate.
“In addition to providing parking, the garage will serve multiple UTS routes, bus patrons and commuters with a multi-modal transit hub,” reads the staff report. “The garage will sit back from Massie Road to allow for a dynamic landscape that will serve pedestrians, bus patrons, and JPJ and Athletic events.”
The Buildings and Grounds Committee approved the location at their meeting in February.
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