Input sought Sept. 17 on South Neighborhood

Contact: Paula M. Davis
Drawing of proposed development of WMU's South Neighborhood gateway, with new residential buildings, trees and green space.

The design concept for the new South Neighborhood includes apartment-style housing off Stadium Drive.

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University's campus community will get an update on planned improvements to the University's new South Neighborhood during two public input sessions Monday, Sept. 17.

Design experts from Perkins+Will, Stantec Architecture and CannonDesign will discuss the South Neighborhood Master Plan and its key new-construction components:

• a student center;

• a dining facility; and

• apartment-style housing.

The input sessions are set for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Sangren Pedestrian Mall in front of Sangren Hall and 6 to 8 p.m. in the Bernhard Center lobby. Attendees will be able to view proposed design concepts in a virtual reality platform.

Revitalizing the South Neighborhood, which is bordered on one side by Stadium Drive, was given a high priority last fall. When completed, the project will meet major new-building needs as well as create a new campus gateway that is more connected with the community and offers eye-catching appeal to prospective students and campus visitors.

The housing component of the project is being tackled first and moved forward significantly this summer with the razing of Elmwood Apartments. The new housing that will be constructed in this complex’s place is being designed to provide the latest and greatest in student housing amenities. It is expected to improve student recruitment and retention and is scheduled to be open for the 2020-21 academic year.

Find more information about the South Neighborhood improvement project online.

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