Plans for Odum site still unclear

CORRECTION: Due to a reporting error, a previous version of this story mischaracterized the planned closing date for Odum Village. Odum is scheduled to close at the end of the 2014-15 academic year. The Daily Tar Heel apologizes for the error.

UNC administrators are still working on a plan for the Odum Village Community after it closes at the end of the 2014-15 academic year.

Anna Wu, assistant vice chancellor for facilities operations, planning and design, said it is a possibility that the Odum Village buildings might be used after 2015 for nonresidential functions until they are redeveloped.

Wu said new facility financial plans and student housing type preferences are being carefully considered by the Department of Housing and Residential Education.

“These factors combined will weigh into the decision about whether to proceed at this time with new residential facilities,” she said.

Although occupied to full capacity at the start of this school year, Odum Village will have to close due to a general administration request that residential facilities have sprinkler systems installed — something Odum Village does not have.

Rick Bradley, associate director of housing and residential education, said installing sprinklers in the outdated building would not be worth the cost.

“Built in the 1960s, the building was never intended to be used for residential facilities this long,” he said.

With the loss of the 450 beds in Odum Village, plans to build an entirely new residential space are being considered. The housing department is looking to build a facility that could hold approximately 500 beds somewhere on South Campus, Bradley said.

He said the first location being considered is on Ridge Road between SASB North and Rams Head parking deck, which could hold a super-suite configuration that would house about 270 students.

The other possibility is to put two buildings on Mason Farm Road between the current Odum site and Baity Hill Student Family Housing that would resemble Ram Village apartments and house 250 students.

“When looking at renovation and new construction projects, cost is a key driver, and the cost is significantly more than what we deem an affordable option to us at this time,” Bradley said.

He said the Ridge Road proposal is currently estimated to cost between $25 and $30 million. But the housing department needs the new facilities to be closer to the $15 million range, he said.

Bradley said a project of this scope usually takes about two years, so new dormitory facilities would open in the fall of 2016.

“The decision with cost variables is being looked at in more detail, and we will make a decision at the end of this semester,” he said.

Current Odum resident Philip Delvecchio, who works at Information Technology Services’ ResNet, said aside from the sprinkler issue, he has noticed issues with the wireless connection and a lack of central air and heating systems.

Delvecchio said he wishes renovations could be made to the existing building.

“It’s an amazing location — I don’t think it should close down, I just think some work needs to be put into it,” he said.

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