Regents approve construction of honors college complex in Tucson
Sep 29, 2017, 4:00 PM
(Screenshot)
(Screenshot)
PHOENIX — The University of Arizona will start construction on a $137 million honors college complex at the end of this year.
The Arizona Daily Star reported that the Arizona Board of Regents gave approval Thursday for the project, which was expected to be completed by August 2019.
The new Honors College will give those students a “campus within a campus.” Construction was scheduled to begin in December. The site will include a residence hall with over 1,000 beds along with a dining hall, recreation and a parking garage.
The university owns the selected site — from East Mabel and East Adams streets, between North Park and Santa Rita avenues.
The plans were approved at the regents’ meeting in Flagstaff.
University officials said the complex was necessary to recruit and retain the best students but there has been resistance.
Some neighbors have complained about the expansion.
“It’s no longer just a dorm for honors students,” Grace Rich told the campus newspaper.
“It’s become a miniature city.”
The university will enter a lease agreement with the private developer American Campus Communities to build the complex.
The school will fund the project through system revenue bonds and parking reserve funds.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
