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Rendering of an aerial view of future South Green
Housing Master Plan
Reimagining the residential future of OHIO
'Brick by Brick'

Housing Master Plan

Rendering of new South Green

Project Vision

The Ohio University Board of Trustees has approved a $110.5 million investment for a Master Housing Plan, including the new construction of 591 bed, five-story facility on a plinth in the South Green.

The updated plan will not only shape and guide the University’s ongoing improvement of, and investment in, the residential infrastructure across the Athens Campus through a combination of new construction and major and minor renovation projects — it will also further enhance OHIO students’ overall residential experience for many years to come.

 

Project Goals

  • Address demand and capacity needs

  • Create active indoor and outdoor spaces

  • Connect students and visitors to the South Green community and campus

  • Promote student and community well-being

  • Create intentional collisions and foster a sense of community

  • Create flexible and inclusive spaces

  • Provide opportunities for student identity

New Construction Timeline

Tentative and subject to change

October 2022: Housing Master Plan approved by Board of Trustees

January 2023: Board of Trustees approved resolution for RFP to engage Architect and Design firm

March 2023: AECOM and Hanbury were selected to design new construction with Elford as CMR

April 2023: Visioning, goal setting and programming review begins

July 2023: Elford Construction selection as Construction Manager for project

April 5, 2024: Design, site preparation, construction and funding strategy approved by the Board of Trustees 

April 22, 2024: Groundbreaking Ceremony and Student Celebration

May 2024: Site preparation begins with dirt infill
 

August 2024: Increased South Green lighting added, new recycling and waste dumpsters open

December 2024: Erecting wall panels and student furniture budget determined

February 2025: Student furniture showcase

August 2025: Bobcat Node completed and opens to the public. Mackinnon Hall new main entrance opens

January 2026: Residence Hall names approved by Board of Trustees

May 2026: Construction 100% completed

July 2026: Dedication/Grand Opening Ceremony

August 2026: Students move In
 

Overall Site Plan

Rendering of the Housing master plan site plan including a map of the proposed plan

Design Renderings

Click on image to enlarge and view caption.

Final product may vary.

Breaking Ground

On April 22, 2024, a significant milestone was achieved as we officially commenced phase two of the Housing Master Plan. It was a momentous occasion marked by a ceremonial groundbreaking ceremony attended by OHIO leadership, esteemed campus partners, and our dedicated design and construction teams. Together, we symbolically broke ground, signifying the beginning of a new chapter in our campus's development.

Following this event, we continued the celebration with our students at Paw Print Park. Throughout this journey, our students have been integral, offering valuable insights and perspectives every step of the way. As we bid farewell to another academic year and embark on this exciting endeavor, we wanted to ensure their continued involvement and engagement.

This groundbreaking  student event was not your typical affair with ceremonial shovels; instead, we embraced the spirit of togetherness with food, fun and activities that encapsulated our enthusiasm for what lies ahead. It was about fostering a sense of community and pride as we embark on the transformation of South Green and it had us all saying, "I dig South Green!” 

site plans for new residence halls on easels

Groundbreaking Ceremony

Site renderings displayed and the Marching 110 preparing to welcome the attendees to the groundbreaking ceremony.

hard hats and shovels on a table

Groundbreaking Ceremony

Ceremonial hard hats and shovels ready for pick up!

staff picking up shovels and hardhats

Groundbreaking Ceremony

Let the ceremony begin!

university leadership shoveling ceremonial dirt

Groundbreaking Ceremony

Ground has been broken by our OHIO Leadership.

construction company shoveling ceremonial dirt

Groundbreaking Ceremony

Second wave for the groundbreaking- AECOM/Hanbury (Project Design Team).

design team shoveling ceremonial dirt

Groundbreaking Ceremony

Third wave for the groundbreaking- Elford Construction (Project Construction Team).

Marching 110 playing a song

Groundbreaking Ceremony

Striking up the band!

Housing leadership team

Groundbreaking Ceremony

Our Housing leadership team!

Pictured from left to right: Chris Owens (Director of Capital and Facilities Planning), Johnna Matulja (Director of Business Operations), Jen Maskiell (Director of Residence Life), Jneanne Hacker (Executive Director of Housing and Residence Life)

Marching 110 shoveling ceremonial dirt

Groundbreaking Ceremony

The Marching 110 helping us break ground- their involvement was instrumental to the event!

President Gonzalez looking through Google view finder

Groundbreaking Ceremony

President Gonzalez using our viewfinders to view what South Green will look like once the residence hall opens in August 2026!

students looking at the renderings of the new residence halls

Groundbreaking Ceremony

Students getting a chance to see the vision for our future.

vinyl banner being written on by students

Groundbreaking Student Celebration- I Dig South Green!

Students let us know what they dig most about South Green!

One student noted "Back South gave me a home and a community that I will never forget"

students using the photo booth at the event

Groundbreaking Student Celebration- I Dig South Green!

Just some photo fun to capture the memories!

students using the photo booth at the event

Groundbreaking Student Celebration- I Dig South Green!

Nothing is better than a photo with a fellow Bobcat!

students using the photo booth at the event

Groundbreaking Student Celebration- I Dig South Green!

We agree- we love OHIO too!

student looking back at the camera

Groundbreaking Student Celebration- I Dig South Green!

Commemorative shirt tie dyed and a reminder that we dug South Green!

students tie dying shits

Groundbreaking Student Celebration- I Dig South Green!

Tying our community together one shirt at a time.

students tie dying shits

Groundbreaking Student Celebration- I Dig South Green!

The ceremony had hard hats, but for the student event we broke out the aprons! We must protect our OHIO apparel at all costs, even when you are in the process of making more OHIO gear!

students tie dying shits

Groundbreaking Student Celebration- I Dig South Green!

The event was a success and a reminder of how strong our community is!

 

Thinking Green about South Green

Ohio University honors our historic, indigenous land and values environmental conservation. That's why:

  • For every tree that needs to be removed for construction, two trees will be replanted.
  • An impacted tree will be milled and used to design a table that will be integrated in the first floor lobby of the new building.
  • Additional bike path parking will be added as part of the design.
  • In planning site utilities, the pathways used will avoid disturbing additional trees and landscape.
  • Design allows natural sunlight into the spaces to reduce additional daytime lighting needs.