Northern Arizona University is considering the inclusion of approximately $350M in potential housing projects in its master plan for the Flagstaff campus.
If approved, the additions could add as many as 1,200 beds to the campus. NAU previously stated it has more than 10,000 beds dedicated to student housing, 98% of which are reportedly occupied.
The University has attempted to combat the housing shortage by returning beds removed for COVID-19 and increasing the count of triple bedrooms.
NAU said the proposals under consideration are to fill the current bed deficit. The additional beds will provide upper-division undergraduate students who cannot find affordable off-campus residences opportunities to find suitable housing arrangements.
As the new developments are intended for upper-division students, some housing will take less of a dormitory approach and more of an independent living configuration, with the possibility of full kitchens and single-occupancy bedrooms.
Plans are not set in stone, are subject to change and have no established timeline.
The South Campus Housing Village is the first addition proposed in the campus plan. The “village” will be comprised of three four-story buildings on the current parking lot P66A, near Pine Knoll Drive. A community center would be added with the first phase of the plans. The project is estimated at $128M.
In the second phase, the University may demolish Roseberry Hall and add beds to South Village Apartments to replace the 200 units lost in the demolition.
The third phase of the master plan will add two additional housing communities. The Northend Mixed Use Building at the intersection of Butler Avenue and Beaver Street would include 200 beds in its top three stories. The bottom three stories would be dedicated to public-facing programs and commercial use. The building is projected to cost $72.2M.
The Central Campus Housing Apartment Complex would contain 500 units in a single five-story building. The complex is estimated to cost $152M.
Local sources have reported that developments are likely to stem from a partnership with American Campus Communities, which already owns three developments within the Flagstaff campus. (Source)