FAMU BOT Approves Architectural/Engineering Design Contracts for Two More Student Residence Halls

The Florida A&M University (FAMU) Board of Trustees (BOT) approved contracts for architectural firms to design two more student residence halls.

Meeting on campus Thursday, March 7, the BOT approved a $429,521 contract with JRA Architects of Tallahassee for engineering and architecture services for a 500-bed, mixed use facility that will be built where Paddyfote residence hall once stood. As part of the plan, the four-story building will be designed to include retail and office space on the first floor.

The local firm also secured the architecture and design contract for the Howard Hall renovations, for which the University received funding during the 2023 legislative session.

 

 

JRA Architects designed the Center for Access and Student Success (CASS) Building on Wahnish Way.

The BOT also approved $605,020 for CHASM Architecture of Atlanta for engineering and architecture services for a five-story 800-bed mixed use structure that will include space for the Office of University Housing, which is presently located in the CASS Building. The new building will be constructed on land vacated by the demolition of Palmetto North.

The approval of funding for the design of the two facilities came as preliminary work has begun to build a 700-bed student residence on Osceola Street.  That project is expected to be completed in time for students to move-in August 2025. 

Plans for the two additional residence halls were announced in 2023 as part of the University’s housing master plan to increase on campus student housing to more than 4,000 beds, up from about 2,400 beds currently. The timetable for construction will depend on Florida Board of Governors approval and the availability of funding.

University officials are responding to the increased demand by upper classmen for on-campus housing in light of rising rents for off-campus apartments.

In other action, BOT members authorized entering a design agreement to with Architects Lewis + Whitlock to design the Chemical and Biological Research Center renovation project.

The BOT also heard updates from Facilities, Planning and Construction about renovations and replacement projects being done this spring or summer. This includes a chiller replacement, a boiler replacement, and a new South Chiller Plant. Funding for deferred maintenance and infrastructure improvements was allocated by the State Legislature in 2023.